Point of View

Talley wrote Lies We Tell Ourselves in first person point of view, alternating the narrator between Sarah Dunbar and Linda Hairston, with the exception of the last chapter of the novel being in Ruth Dunbar’s perspective. Featuring the two main characters at different sections of the novel is significant because the narrators offer distinct insights during their sections. Sarah’s sections are more observant with a realistic view of the world because she is subject to more harsh realities than other, more privileged characters. Linda follows a slightly different journey in her sections; her perspective changes with her experiences.

Parts one and three and certain chapters in Parts four and five feature Sarah’s perspective. In the beginning section, Sarah’s narration establishes an exposition through her observations of Jefferson High School and her thoughts about her interactions with her peers. For instance, in...