Point of View

The author of Palmares uses first-person narration, told from the perspective of the main character, Almeyda. The book begins when Almeyda is eight years old. She is a very perceptive child, who intuits much about the world around her. As the narrative progresses, Almeyda ages and her perspective notes the passage of time. For instance, through dialogue, the reader learns that Almeyda is fifteen years of age at one point. From this point onward, the narrative is no longer that of little girl but of an adolescent, entering womanhood.

At times, Almeyda has knowledge of events and persons in the story that seem improbable. In many instances this is explained as her overhearing discussions. When she is on Entralgo’s planation, for instance, she overhears a great deal of conversation. This is somewhat attributable to the disregard that the whites of high birth have for...