Point of View

Ruta Sepetys tells her novel “Out of the Easy” from the first-person limited-omniscient perspective in past-tense. The story is told from the point of view of main character and principal protagonist, Josie, who recounts her experience working to get out of New Orleans. The first-person is important because Josie has few trusted friends and who often keeps her feelings and thoughts to herself. The first-person allows the reader privileged access to her thoughts and emotions. The limited-omniscient aspect of the narrative lends a sense of mystery and drama, creating an atmosphere of suspense around the truth behind Forrest’s killing, and what Josie will do to pay off her mother’s debt with the mob. Given the fact that Josie appears to be telling her story sometime after it has occurred to a trusted friend – perhaps Charlotte – the language naturally takes on the past-tense.

Language and Meaning