Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
The story is set in the 20th century in the context of the 1918 influenza pandemic.
Narrator and Point of View
First-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Subdued, aggrieved, disheartening, gloomy
Protagonist and Antagonist
The main protagonists are Miranda and Adam.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is the outbreak of the influenza pandemic, which resulted in the death of Adam. Miranda was also a victim of the pandemic, but she survived to tell the story.
Climax
The climax is when Miranda recovers from an influenza attack but unfortunately realizes that the man who took care of her while sick died of the same disease contracted from her.
Foreshadowing
Miranda's uneasy feelings foreshadow the death of Adam Barclay.
Understatement
Dreaming is understated because it is not all about good things. For instance, Miranda’s dream is horrifying.
Allusions
The story alludes to the worst time in history when the world battled with the influenza pandemic.
Imagery
Miranda's picture at the bath tap in Adam's place is a depiction of sight imagery.
Paradox
Miranda and Maria are paradoxical characters because they behave like adults while they are very young girls.
Parallelism
Miranda’s actual life parallels what she sees in her dreams.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The influenza pandemic is a personified monster that took the lives of many people.