Perspective

The story is written in first person from Papillion's point of view. The perspective is greatly limited, both by the fact that the reader sees nothing outside his perspective and that he gives only limited information regarding the situation. For example, he presented the brief outlines of his trial but leaves the reader to figure out the majority of the details. This limitation adds a level of intrigue but also makes it more difficult for the reader to come to any real conclusions about many aspects of the story. For example, Papillion is captured after escaping from the prison at Rio Hacha and when he denies that he had escaped a year earlier, the guard points out that Papillion is missing the thumb from his left hand. This is the first time this has been mentioned and there are no explanations offered at all. Papillion then tells the...