Genre
Fiction
Setting and Context
1960, X-Ville, England
Narrator and Point of View
Eileen Dunlop
Tone and Mood
Strong, introspective, reflecting
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Eileen Dunlop, Antagonist: Eileen's father, X-Ville
Major Conflict
Eileen wants to find a way to leave X-Ville, and Rebecca has attacked and tied Mrs. Polk down in her basement.
Climax
When Rebecca accidentally shoots Mrs. Polk, when trying to get a written confession from her.
Foreshadowing
Old- Eileen telling the story of her life in 1960 foreshadows that she will get out of X-Ville, which is what she dreams of when she is a young 24-year-old woman.
Understatement
Rebecca and Leonard arriving at the juvenile penitentiary at the same time is an understatement, as it is later revealed that Rebecca had close ties with Leonard.
Allusions
N/A
Imagery
The image of Eileen hiking out of X-Ville is one of the strongest images in the book, as it shows that she did, in fact, accomplish what she hoped she would do in the end.
Paradox
"You can decide your own destiny" is an important message and paradox in the story; Eileen hopes she can get out of X-Ville, but isn't sure, as she doesn't believe her destiny is in her own hands.
Parallelism
There could be clear parallel lines drawn between the old and young Eileen and her character, as it shows her full character development.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A