Perception Versus Reality

One of the primary themes that the story explores is the tension between an individual perspective and a broader reality. From the very beginning of the story, readers are privy only to Silas's thoughts about his sister, Dove, and their relationship. As such, the portrait readers receive of Bernice is one that emphasizes her erratic and dramatic behavior. Likewise, the portrait readers receive of Dove revolves around his gig work as a DJ and his lack of social decorum. Nothing Silas says about either his sister or Dove is outwardly cruel, which helps establish him as a reliable narrator. Thus, the story presents readers with a narrator they can trust, and thus his interpretation of Bernice's behavior seems to be correct for most of the story.

However, the narrative challenges Silas's perspective slightly when Bernice is in the hospital. Dove arrives, and Silas assumes...