Genre
realist novel
Setting and Context
beginning of the 20th century, an English small town called Stillbourne
Narrator and Point of View
Narrator: Oliver
Point of view: first person
Tone and Mood
Tone: cynical, humorous
Mood: thoughtful
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Oliver, Antagonist: the conservative and ridiculous society of Stillbourne
Major Conflict
Since childhood, Oliver learned to keep his honest thoughts to himself and endure even unpleasant situations, as in the case of Ms. Dawlish.
Climax
Learning upon his arrival to Stillbourne that Bounce is dead, Oliver is finally able to tell her how much he always disliked her.
Foreshadowing
Oliver foreshadows that him listening to Evie and helping Robert is not the end of their relationship, only the beginning.
Understatement
Oliver understates Evie and her way of life and reasons for her behavior.
Allusions
Allusions to Chopin
Imagery
Imagery of the nature and structure of small town life is prevailing.
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
"Bloody car. Bloody fool. Bloody footbrake..."
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Oliver's parents refer to themselves among each other with "Father" and "Mother".
Personification
N/A
