Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
The action in the book takes place in the 1950's, in Belize.
Narrator and Point of View
The story is told from the perspective of a third-person objective point of view.
Tone and Mood
The tone and mood is a neutral one.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Beka and the antagonist is presented as being the idea of losing someone permanently.
Major Conflict
The major conflict presented here is dealing with the idea of life and death and also with the notion of loss.
Climax
The story reaches its climax when Beka's friend is finally buried.
Foreshadowing
The important part death plays in Beka's life is foreshadowed at the beginning of the story when the narrator describes just how much Beka was affected by her friend's passing.
Understatement
In the begining of the story, Beka claims that she does not care if her parents pull her out from her private school. This is later proven to be an understatement when Beka does everything she can to make sure her parents do not find out about her poor school results and end up getting her out of school.
Allusions
N/A
Imagery
One of the most important images described in the story is that of Toycie, a young adolescent girl, heavily pregnant. This image is important because it shows the devastating effects a lack of education can have on a person's life.
Paradox
One of the most paradoxical ideas in the story is presented as being the idea that Beka continues to want to go to her private school even though it is clear that she can't keep up the pace with the rest of the children.
Parallelism
A parallel can be drawn between Toycie and Beka, used here to highlight the importance of a good education and of the stability offered by a close-knit family.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Money is used in the story as a general term to make reference to the idea of living an easy and carefree life.
Personification
We have a personification in the line "the sea hit her violently and unexpectedly".
