Point of View

The story is told from a third-person point of view, with insight into the man’s thoughts and emotions. The emotions and thoughts of the other characters, especially those of the woman, are often shown through the focus of Junpei’s observations. For this reason, her emotions often seem limited and cause her to appear more obedient and servant-like, yet the reader never truly knows what occurs in her mind. This limited vantage point serves to characterize Junpei, who cannot comprehend much of what other people feel, and who has little curiosity for their thoughts and feelings.

Setting

The story takes place mainly in a small village in Japan, close to the sea. It can be reached by bus after several hours, and is quite remote from any other villages or forms of civilization. The geography of the cliffs, ocean, and sand dunes form a...