Point of View

The story is told entirely from the first person perspective from the main character Ben Payne. The reader is always in Ben's head. This primarily serves as a focusing devise on Ben's character. As the readers never leave him, they are made witness to every detail of his personal journey. It also helps to highlight the oral nature of the story. Given that it is a story of survival, it is fitting that it should be told in the fashion of a story around a campfire. The point of view also heightens the sense of isolation present throughout the novel. The readers know nothing beyond what Ben knows, and they do not even know everything that Ben knows until the end. This makes them isolated like the characters.

Language and Meaning

A key piece of information is left out in the novel and only revealed...