Point of View

'State of Wonder' is written in the limited and third-person point of view, where the narrator knows only the thoughts and actions of Marina Singh. This view is reliable, in revealing the feelings of Marina Singh, but also offers insight into the emotions of other characters by viewing them through the eyes of Marina herself. This point of view is important, since one major theme in the story is the growth of Marina, both in terms of her ethical boundaries but also in terms of her ability to put her past behind her. The impact of the past on Marina as well as the impact of Swenson's influence could not be as clear without the use of this limited third-person view. The story is told through description as well as dialogue, which helps to keep the reader focused on Marina while still being able to see...