Point of View

On the Rooftop is written from the third person point of view. This third person narrator’s attention shifts throughout the novel, and does not present an overarching omniscient version of truth. Rather, depending upon the section, the narrator’s descriptions of the narrative world vacillate according to each character’s perspective. Each of the chapters is titled with one of the main character’s names. In the chapters labeled “Vivian,” the narrator’s access is limited to Vivian’s point of view. In the chapters labeled “Ruth,” “Esther,” and “Chloe,” the third person narrator similarly inhabits each character’s consciousness respectively, and renders the narrative world through her distinct lens. Therefore, the narrative space is divided and shared between the four primary characters.

At the same time, this approach to point of view creates tension between the characters’ distinct versions of reality, collection of...