Genre
Fiction; novel
Setting and Context
Paradise Alms House
Narrator and Point of View
Tyler narrates the story in the first person.
Tone and Mood
The tone is ambiguous; the mood is exciting.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Tyler is the protagonist; Mala is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the novel occurs when Tyler explains why he wishes to tell Mala's story and how he hopes it will be told to Asha.
Climax
The climax of the story is reached when it is revealed that Chandin was actually adopted by the Reverend Thoroughly in return for Chandin's parents converting to Christianity.
Foreshadowing
The Reverend's desire to adopt an Indian child is foreshadowed by his aim to have closer connections with others.
Understatement
The role of childhood is understated throughout the novel.
Allusions
The story alludes to the hope needed to find those that we have lost.
Imagery
The imagery of the deserted country roads is present in the novel.
Paradox
The fact that the Reverend should be neutral, yet bribed Chandin's parents is an example of paradox in the story.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between Chandin's experience in life and the fact that he is Indian.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
