Point of View

This non-linear narrative shifts point of view throughout the piece. The novel begins from the narrator’s point of view. However, the point of view is given to a third person omniscient narrator throughout the story, as in the beginning of chapter three. At other times, other characters take on the point of view, such as when Trumper, Boy Blue and the narrator discuss the whipping or when Pa and Ma are talking. Toward the end of the narrative, the point of view is almost solely occupied by the narrator or Ma and Pa.

Setting

The entire novel is set in Creighton Village on the Barbados Island.

Language and Meaning

Parts of the narrative are written in dialect that is meant to mimic the speech of the villagers of Barbados. This occurs when dialogue is incorporated into the narrative.

Structure

The narrative is highly non-linear...