Point of View

The vast majority of the novel is recounted from the third-person and limited perspective, from Belle's point of view. This allows the reader an entree into a seemingly unfamiliar world of the past, with a sympathetic and likable character as a guide. Moreover, it helps the reader to understand some of the radical decisions Belle makes in order to get what she wants. The third person limited does not provide as much subjectivity as the first person, and thus seems much more objective. This objectivity is highlighted by the shifts in point of view that regularly occur throughout the narration. In these shifts, John's narration also takes over from time to time, which gives the reader more perspective on the situation as a whole. This also explains many things to the reader that Belle couldn't know about: for example, his past in the war, or his...