Point of View

Ashes to Ashes is told in the second person. The story is about the rise of the tobacco industry from small entrepreneurs in the 1800s, to the mega-corporations of modern day - Philip Morris and RJR. The point of view is split mostly between the pro-tobacco companies and the anti-tobacco consumer advocates, government agencies, and other organizations.

Setting

The main setting of the story is in the United States, where tobacco companies came of age in the twentieth century. Their marketing takes place domestically (U.S.) and all across the world (specifically Europe, the Far East, and Africa). Domestic settings include the home cities of the tobacco companies, locations of scientific institutes, Washington D.C., and many state capitals where tobacco lobbying and legislation took place.

Language and Meaning

The language and meaning of the story pertains to statements made about tobacco by advocates, detractors, users...