Avis Everhard

Avis is the central character and narrative of the book. Told from her first person perspective, her apparent story is one of transformation from child of privilege to revolutionary and, on some level, of redemption, in that she redeems her life of privilege by working for the good of the worker's revolution. It must be noted, however, that there is evidence that both transformation and redemption are superficial. The astute reader will perceive that this is what Avis believes has happened, but may perceive a deeper truth in her words and commentary.

In chapter twenty, Avis adopts a new persona in order to infiltrate the Oligarchy on behalf of the revolution. Her descriptions of and commentary on "the people of the abyss" in general, and her description of those people in her narrative of the events of the Chicago Commune suggest that deep down, her feelings of...