Point of View

The novel is told in the third person, past tense, with an omniscient narrator from the perspective of a variety of characters. This fluctuating use of point of views allows the reader to gain insight into the psychological processes of different characters. Despite the occasional use of numerous characters’ points of view, the most consistent point of view is that of the protagonist Bjartur. However, this use of point of view is not used as a method of producing sympathy for his character. On the contrary, from the first introduction of Bjartur as character, the exploration of his point of view is used to demonstrate the limitations of Bjartur’s thinking rather than to build sympathy for his mindset. Bjartur’s first appearance in Chapter 2 is exemplary of the depiction of his point of view throughout the novel. It features him explaining his views about...