Point of View

The novel is written with a third-person semi-omniscient voice. While most of the action follows the protagonist, Kate Nagy, there are a few minor scenes in which she does not appear or in which she does not play a major role. There are also several short folk-stories, each one narrated by a character from the main storyline. These stories typically adopt a third-person omniscient voice and are characterized by the style and repetition of a story told and retold in oral tradition.

The Good Master often reads like a fable, with the narrative reinforcing a set of values and norms. This is literally true of the many oral-style stories that appear throughout, which themselves support the overarching message of the novel. The work prizes work ethic, generosity and stewardship. These characteristics are exemplified by Marton, his family and those in his employ. These principles are opposed...