Point of View

The Chaperone is told from the perspective of a third-person limited narrator who follows only Cora’s actions, thoughts, and feelings.

Often, stories that center so directly on a single character are told in the first person. Here, it is possible that the author opted for a third-person voice due to Cora’s lack of self-awareness. Cora’s journey as an individual revolves around coming to terms with her own beliefs and acting on them in the face of changing societal values.

Having a third-person narrator in this case allows one to understand everything that is shaping Cora’s world view, as well as the many factors that complicate it.

Language and Meaning

The language of The Chaperone is straightforward and without embelishment. Occasionally, the narrator will break from the plot of the story so as to tell a historical anecdote that is relevant to...