The story is told from the third person perspective by an unnamed narrator, which means that the reader is provided with facts and details of the plot but no inner feelings or emotions of the characters. The story is also told in the past tense. Details are recalled from the memories of the circus owner, the stagehand, and Han himself. The narrative technique is particularly effective in this story because of its interrogative nature and courtroom setting. The plot and the characters are all revealed through dialogue with no supplemental information. There are no clues provided about geographic location or time period, only that the characters are Japanese.

Some aspects of Japanese culture are included, such as Han's wife's inability to divorce because no other man would want her, given her time spent as a performer. It is also noted that the wife has extremely...