Point of View

The novel is written from the first-person point of view of the unnamed protagonist. Throughout the novel, the narrator’s distinct first- person voice dictates the narrative action, tension, and stakes. At the start of the novel, the narrator’s boredom inspires him to take an impromptu night drive. The first page of the narrative is therefore inspired by the narrator’s time in the car, going nowhere in particular, but taking random “right or left” turns off the main road (9). However, as soon as the narrator’s car gets stuck “a long way up a forest road,” the narrative becomes entirely inspired by the narrator’s thought processes (9). The narrator’s inactive, indecisive character traits therefore stunt the narrative action. Throughout the subsequent pages, the narrator remains in his car, staring out the windshield and failing to take any real control of his situation...