Point of View

This novel is written from the first person present-tense perspective of Clara Lemlich, who narrates her experiences through the form of poetic verse. Though the novel is inspired by true historical events of the uprising of 20,000 in New York in 1909, Crowder’s illustration of Clara Lemlich’s character is a poetic interpretation of Clara’s proverbial journey into her new life and of her purpose within that life. This novel is therefore a semi-fictional biographical account of a real historical figure. This narrative point of view allows the poetry, the description of events and settings, as well as elements of the form, to be suggestive of the narrator’s own perspective and opinions. The fact that the novel is written in poetic verse illustrates an emotionality and artistry with which Clara views her surroundings, giving the reader access into Clara’s character and identity through...