Point of View

This novel is told from the first person point of view of Naomi after Naomi’s death. Naomi recounts not only the details of her life after she had to run away from her first home, but also the life of her daughter whom she watches over as a spirit.

This first person point of view makes the reader feel very close to Naomi and understand the pain she feels when she is unable to interfere when George rapes Josey. Had the author chosen any other point of view it would not have had the emotional impact on the reader as this first person telling of the story.

Language and Meaning

A good deal of language is used in this novel that some might consider offensive. Black people are referred to as both “negros” and “niggers” terms that were used frequently and freely during the...