Point of View

A majority of the chapters are presented in third person omniscient. This is particularly accurate when setting and an overall explanation of the times are of great importance to the story. Third person allows Morrison to give the reader great insight into the sights and sounds of the time and to develop a sense of personality and vision regarding each character.

There are several instances of first person point of view. These apply to Florens and Minha mae. It is vital for these chapters to be written in first person since the reader must be able to grasp the individual thoughts of mother and daughter; thoughts that would not be revealed in third person.

There are some cases in which the third person is the only plausible choice. This is particularly true when explaining the backgrounds of the slaves as well as the Vaarks, Willard and...