Sexing the Cherry Literary Elements

Postmodernism, magical realism, historical fiction

London in the 17th century as well as the present

The novel is told in alternating points of view from multiple characters, including Dog Woman, Jordan, Nicholas Jordan, and the woman. Most of the sections are narrated in the first person from the perspective of one character, but some sections are narrated in the third person. There are also inset narratives in which minor characters narrate in the first person as they tell their stories; for example, the 11 sisters of Fortunata narrate in the first person as they tell their stories.

The mood of the novel is often philosophical, fateful, and reflective; many characters muse on abstract subjects such as the nature of time, memory, and love. Depending on which character is narrating, the tone can be quite comic (Dog Woman's narrative is often comical, due to her pragmatic and literal approach to life), or more melancholy (Jordan often thinks about fate and the inevitability of sadness).

Jordan and Dog Woman are both protagonists; the Puritans, especially Preacher Scroggs, function as antagonists to Dog Woman.

Due to the multiple storylines, there are multiple interconnected conflicts. Dog Woman's main conflict is her desire to find community, acceptance, and connection to others; she is in conflict with the Puritans, and with society more generally. Jordan's conflict revolves around his desire to find Fortunata; he falls in love with her after catching only a brief glimpse of her. Nicholas Jordan's conflict focuses on his desire to fit in to a modern world and make a life and career for himself.

The climax comes when (in one storyline) the Great Fire of 1666 breaks out in London, while, in the modern storyline, Nicholas and the woman set fire to a factory that is dumping pollutants into waterways. These events bring the two plotlines into convergence, and also precipitate Jordan and Dog Woman leaving London behind.

Soon after Dog Woman finds baby Jordan, her neighbor claims that "He'll break your heart." Eventually, Jordan indeed leaves Dog Woman to explore the world, thus breaking her heart.

When the remains of Cromwell, Ireton, and Bradshaw were dug out to be hung up for all to see on the gallows at Tyburn, Dog Woman notes, "That was a moment for a scented handkerchief," understating the terrible stench of the decayed bodies.

Throughout the novel, there are numerous allusions to paintings and historical figures, e.g. Guy Fawkes or the painting "A Hunt in a Forest." There are also allusions to other works of literature, such as when one of the 11 princesses makes a reference to the poem "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning.

See Imagery section

When Jordan is asked about his necklace, he answers, "It was given to me by a woman who does not exist."

The 17th-century and modern stories run parallel, as they contain similar themes, converging events (the two fires), and characters who resemble one another and may be some sort of reincarnation of the historical figures.

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