Point of View

This novel is told from the point of view of a third-person narrator. Consider the opening of the novel: “The first time Eric Hayes ever saw him, David Hallenback was running, if you could call it that, … (1). Eric is referred to by his first name in this opening and is referred to by his given name or the third-person pronouns “he,” or “him” thereafter. The narrator is not biased and does not give his opinion of what is happening in the course of the story.

Since the intention of the novel is to encourage students against being bystanders to bullying, a third-person narrator is the ideal form of narration. It allows the story to be told without the emotional involvement of a first-person narrator. While the reader cares about Eric’s dilemma and is relieved when he chooses to stand up for Hallenback, he is...