Point of View

The novel is written in first person limited, in the present tense with some flashbacks. As the narrator, Jim Stegner's thoughts are all the reader sees, and as such, the reader must take into account his own dishonesty with himself about his actions. The narrator appears not to sometimes be aware of his own intentions or lack of control, making excuses for what he does. In this, the author depicts accurately the ways people deny themselves full agency and deny responsibility. In the beginning of the novel, the reader seldom even sees the narrator's name, but, rather, see him as "the Painter" or "the Fisherman." It is only in contact with others that his name becomes known. His view of others is filtered through the character's self-concept, privilege and gender, and insights on the emotions of experience of others is therefore somewhat limited. To Jim...