Point of View

The novel is told from three different perspectives. The first section is written from Sarah’s perspective, using third-person limited narration. The second section is written from Karen’s perspective. Karen is the direct narrator of this section, but the narration often shifts between first-person narration and third-person narration. Thus at times, Karen is thereby choosing to refer to herself in the third-person. The final section is narrated from Claire’s perspective, and the narration is written in the third person. Examined together, three different perspectives form an examination of women’s experiences that is both varied and detailed. All three of the characters of abuse by men, in various forms. The point-of-view characters’ experiences thereby carry important sociopolitical weight regarding the destructive effects of patriarchal social structures.

In addition, contrasts between character perspectives help to illuminate the different ways in which people may attempt...