Point of View

The novel’s narration is written in the past tense and the first person from Joan’s perspective. The novel itself generally functions as Joan’s recollections, thoughts, and feelings about her life and her relationship to Joe. The primacy of Joan’s perspective is integral to the themes of the novel, as the narrative focuses heavily on illustrating the destructive effects of misogynistic social structures. Joan’s perspective gives the reader direct insights into how societally ingrained misogyny can negatively affect one’s life and self-conception. Joan’s criticisms of these misogynistic dynamics help to support the narrative’s overall criticisms of the same dynamics.

Additionally, Joan’s perspective helps to directly highlight unflattering traits of Joe’s. These unflattering traits are thematically attributed to similar dynamics of patriarchy and misogyny. Joe’s male privilege makes him arrogant, entitled, selfish, and inconsiderate. The narrative...