Point of View

The story is told from the third person, past tense, omniscient point of view. This means it recounts actions, events, and circumstances from a variety of perspectives, weaving together a multi-textured tapestry of emotional colors and experiences that combine to create a complex, yet thematically unified, narrative portrait of individual and societal transformation. There are two principal benefits to this emotionally and spiritually panoramic point of view. The first is to create a strong sense that in spite of differences in individual circumstance, the journeys of the various characters are all essentially the same. As discussed above, some of these journeys are more inwardly directed (Bakayoko, N'Daye Touti, Mamadou Keita, Maimouna) while others are more outward (Ramatoulaye, Penda). All, however, are ultimately defined by movement towards strength, self awareness, courage, and connection to a spiritual, humanist truth.

The second benefit to this tapestry-like perspective is the...