The story is told from the first person narrative perspective. Although the plot line is about Rutchen and her parents, all the reader gleans from them is what Rutchen experiences and shares directly with the narrator. In other words, Rutchen's experiences and recollections are conveyed by the narrator as told to the narrator, rather than from Rutchen herself.

The author uses the technique of moving back and forth in time to convey Rutchen's memories. This erratic technique is especially effective to mirror Rutchen's increasingly unstable state of mind. In conjunction with this, the author uses a stream of consciousness method, which also points out Rutchen's erratic state of mind through rambling thoughts. These thoughts do not necessarily relate.

The theme of persecution is prevalent in the story, especially among the women, including Rutchen and Gerda, who are silent victims of Shlezi's abuse. The neighbors hear...