While telling of Birle's adventures, Voigt follows the pattern of the traditional hero tale. In such a tale, according to critics Moss and Stott, the hero's birth is shrouded in mystery, his education is challenging and unusual, and as a leader he is brave and noble but not without weakness or flaw. As a result, the hero is defeated, but, before he dies, he promises to return.

Birle is embarrassed to admit to Orien that her own ancestors are somewhat of a mystery. Her grandmother died in childbirth after claiming that the father of her child was Jackaroo, the legendary hero of the poor. And this child grew up to be Birle's mother.

Birle, herself, has a unique education.

Her grandparents, the couple who raised her mother, taught her to read and write even though such knowledge was forbidden among the people. As a leader, Birle...