Point of View

"The Journey to the East" is written in the first person. The first part of the book is presented as being written by the narrator himself. The second part of the book is more of a traditional narrative novel, told as if the narrator were addressing the reader directly. The novel deals largely with the introspection of the narrator into his own character and motivations, making the first person point of view a particularly effective way to portray this self-searching and the changes that take place in the character over the course of the story. The "truth" slowly unfolds to the narrator, which is made more dramatic by being revealed as he himself is realizing it.

Also, because the plot involves a secret society whose members have taken a vow not to speak about its goals, the first person point of view lends authenticity to the...