Point of View

The novel is written in the third person, present tense, with a sole focus on Tom’s perspective. The reader sees what Tom sees, knows what Tom knows, and shares in his perceptions without access to the inner lives of the other characters. This choice of point of view places the focus squarely on Tom’s gradual transformation rather than on the motives or psychology of those around him. This restriction is especially significant in relation to Edgar. The novel withholds any direct insight into Edgar’s thoughts, leaving him enigmatic. Readers must interpret Edgar through his actions and words as Tom perceives them, which mirrors Tom’s own uncertainty. The reader is never told for certain whether Edgar is a visionary filmmaker, a manipulative conman, or something more mystical. By preventing readers from stepping outside Tom’s limited vantage, the novel maintains the tension...