Point of View

This story is written using the omniscient third person point of view, meaning that the narrator knows all of the characters' emotions and feelings. No one character in the story tells the story only from his or her point of view. This particular point of view works best for this novel because it tells the story of all the nuns living in Brede monastery. Had Godden chosen to write the story only from Philippa's view point, for instance, she would have not had the opportunity to tell the thoughts and emotions of Catherine as she is chosen as abbess or Cecily as she fights with herself over the reality of her calling.

Godden uses much dialogue in her writing which allows her characters to tell their story. This style works well since large portions of the book are dedicated to background information about Brede Abbey and...