Point of View

The novel's point of view is, for the most part, straightforward, third person omniscient. The narrator follows the story through Alec Ramsay. In every scene and in every moment, Alec is present. While this limits the scope of the narrative, the narrator still gives the reader insight into other characters' perspectives and moods. Also, the narrator gives bird's eye descriptions of some settings making it something of a voluntarily limited third person omniscient story. Consequently, the narration cannot be third person limited.

The narrator begins with a description of the tramp steamer called the Drake as it makes its way into the Arabian Sea. In opening this way, the narration starts with a broad scope that then narrows and focuses in on Alec Ramsay. While examining the boy, the narration only rarely ventures past its focus upon Alec and his situation. Because of the heavy...