Point of View

The play’s use of point of view guides the audience’s shifting perception of Jenny, challenging initial judgments and encouraging a deeper understanding of her character. At the outset, the audience is positioned to view Jenny through the critical eyes of other characters, who see her as a difficult, abrasive, and even irresponsible figure. Her actions—such as being harsh toward her nephew Luke, attempting to seduce Henri, and her role in the death of her daughter Amy—seem to validate this perspective, making her a seemingly unsympathetic character. However, as the play unfolds, the point of view gradually shifts, allowing the audience to see Jenny’s world from her perspective and understand the complexities of her behavior and choices.

Early in the play, Jenny’s interactions with Luke and Henri paint her as abrasive and self-serving. Her sarcastic remarks and brusque demeanor contrast...