Point of View

The point of View of The Pull of the Stars is first person singular, exclusively through the eyes and feelings of Julia Power, who narrates the novel and is also the protagonist. Julia’s viewpoint is the most significant, as she is the protagonist and involved in every event that takes place within the novel. Another key perspective is that of Dr. Kathleen Lynn, the real doctor and political activist whose work grounds the historical fiction. Although Donoghue never depicts Dr. Lynn’s direct viewpoint, like Julia’s, she reveals Dr. Lynn’s perspective through her conversations with Julia, in which she explains some of her political beliefs and values. Donoghue uses Julia’s perspective to reveal how many people in 1918 would have perceived Dr. Lynn and her work.

Julia’s descriptions of events are very concise and reveal her quickly processing information about her...