Point of View

Other than "Secretary," all the stories in the collection are written from a third-person point of view, with a strong emphasis on following the thoughts of a singular character. This allows the reader to fully engage with the thoughts and emotions of one character, while also keeping some measure of distance that allows for a more objective analysis of the situation. The third-person point of view also provides the reader with a better sense of the contrast between each story’s protagonist and its supporting characters. This contrast helps the reader understand the dynamic between them and how their relationship informs the story.

In "Secretary," Debby is given a first-person point of view, which allows for a stronger, more individual voice that gives exclusive insight into her character. Thus, her emotions seem more intense, but at the expense of other characters, who often feel like...