Genre
Historical fiction
Setting and Context
Quebec in 1697
Narrator and Point of View
An unnamed, third-person omniscient narrator
Tone and Mood
The tone is upsetting; the mood is dramatic.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Euclide is the protagonist; the colonists are the antagonists.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the novel occurs when Euclide returns home one day to have dinner with his daughter after watching the ships set sail for France.
Climax
The climax of the story is reached when Cecile opens a present that was sent from Aunt Clotilde, who lives in France.
Foreshadowing
Jacques receiving new shoes is foreshadowed by the fact that Cecile is a very kind person.
Understatement
The role that colonisation has on childhood is understated throughout the novel.
Allusions
The story alludes to the impact of the occupation of Quebec in 1697.
Imagery
The imagery of boats and marine life is present in the novel.
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
There is a parallel between the kindness that Cecile has towards others and the sweet nature of her mother.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The hope of the people in Quebec is personified through the new shoes that Jacques receives.
