Points of View

The novel is written in the third person point of view, largely from Dick Pierce's viewpoint. The reader sees the action through an objective point of view, although often siding and sympathizing with different characters. It is difficult not to feel some sense of despair when the story is seen through May's point of view.

The story follows the life of Dick Pierce as he struggles with his inner need to remain in charge of his own life. As the novel begins, Dick is seen as someone who is not in control of what is happening around him, largely due to his own stubbornness. As he begins to find ways to achieve his goals, he takes over the actions he is responsible for and then he sees others in a different light. Parker begins to deteriorate in Dick's eyes and continues this downward trend throughout the...