Genre
Coming-of-age story
Setting and Context
The story is set in the 20th century in the United States of America and Hungary.
Narrator and Point of View
Written in first-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Humorous, intriguing, confident
Protagonist and Antagonist
The central character is Selin. No antagonist
Major Conflict
There is a conflict between Selin and her family's expectations. Selin looks forward to building her life as an independent woman, but her parents still want to control her actions.
Climax
The climax comes when Selin understands the meaning of artistic life.
Foreshadowing
The three-month silence foreshadows the breakup between Ivan and Selin.
Understatement
Selin understates Ivan's love when she says he values his ex-girlfriend more than her.
Allusions
The novel alludes to Kierkegaard's dissertation on the advantages and disadvantages of an artistic life in quest of contentment versus a moral life and matrimony.
Imagery
The description of an abnormal romantic affiliation between Ivan and Selin paints a picture of a dysfunctional relationship. In addition, the description of the serene environment of Hungary paints a picture of hope for Selin as she pursues her lover.
Paradox
The main paradox is when Selin arrives in Hungary and realizes that she still does not understand Ivan. Selin thought that by visiting Hungary, she would get a better understanding of Ivan.
Parallelism
n/a
Metonymy and Synecdoche
n/a
Personification
The author personifies the computer when saying that it can monitor and evaluate humans.
