Point of View

The story is told in the first person, from the point of view of Rutherford Calhoun. It is Rutherford's journal that comprises the novel, and therefore the reader sees and experiences the story through him. Although the novel contains dialogue and descriptions, each of the scenes are told through Rutherford's eyes. He includes a few asides to the reader, which draws him closer to audience and allows a relationship to develop, drawing the reader in. The telling of this story in first person is entirely appropriate, since it centers on the Rutherford's growth as the main character, this growth could not be more evident as the reader sees him change and grow through his own eyes.

With use of the first person narrative, the reader learns about each of the other characters and events through Rutherford, as if they are experiencing everything with him. Rutherford's thoughts...