Point of View

The novel is narrated from the point of view of an unnamed man who grows up in an extremely devout Catholic family. The narrator remains consistent for both the outer and inner stories, which is uncommon for a frame-story structure. This perspective also remains consist throughout the chronological shifts of the narrative. The narrator delivers his own opinions only rarely, but his perspective colors the entire novel and dictates the details that we receive regarding the main events.

The first-person narration allows for deep insight into the character's inner mental processes, which is essential in a novel where much of the action is psychological. The narrator is also a central figure in the plot, so he is able to perceive all relevant action. Having access into the narrator’s thoughts and feelings allows us to truly understand the terror and unease that he experienced at...