Point of View

The author tells the story of Women Talking from August Epp's first person point of view. This narrative vantage is essential to accessing the experiences and circumstances of the Friesen and Loewen women. Because the women are illiterate, have been disallowed from learning to read and write, August is the only means for conveying their discussions and concerns prior to departing from the colony. Though Agata, Greta, Mariche, Salome, Mejal, Ona, Neitje, and Autje are all integral members of the narrative events and structure, none of them has the power to record their own thoughts or story. They must therefore rely on August to give their words shape, to allow them an archival existence and life beyond the space of the page.

August's point of view also grants the narrative an added layer of resonance. While the novel is interested in giving voice to the...