Point of View

The novel is told from Tracker’s perspective, and the narration is written in the first person and the past tense. There are some indications that Tracker is recounting his story retrospectively to some undefined inquest, but this frame device remains mysterious and does not often affect the narrative presentation. Moreover, as Tracker narrates his experiences, he rarely makes mention of future events and instead focuses only on each specific moment in chronological order. This focus on Tracker’s perspective emphasizes his personal evolution as integral to the overall themes and narrative of the story. Tracker is complex in that he has often led a violent life, but he feels conflicted about the use of violence. He also is restless and often wanders, but his wandering appears to indicate and internal desire for a more consistent sense of self, peace, and community.

The novel also...