Genre
Drama
Setting and Context
The novel starts prior to the disappearance of Wayne. However, much of the novel takes place immediately after Wayne's disappearance and is set during much of Cassandra's life.
Narrator and Point of View
The Furrows is told from the perspective of Cassandra, who narrates the novel.
Tone and Mood
The Furrows is sad, solemn, mournful, negative, mysterious, tense, and depressing.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Cassandra is the protagonist of the novel. Her grief and mental illness is the antagonist of the novel.
Major Conflict
Initially, the major conflict of the novel revolves around Cassandra's attempts to find her brother, who had disappearance without a trace. However, the major conflict of much of the rest of the novel revolves around Cassandra's attempts to get over her grief.
Climax
When Cassandra comes face-to-face with Wayne once again.
Foreshadowing
Cassandra's visions of her brother Wayne's face foreshadow her coming face-to-face again with Wayne in the flesh once again.
Understatement
The extent of Cassandra's denial is understated throughout much of the novel.
Allusions
There are a number of allusions to science (particularly Earth science) and mental health conditions, the process of grieving, religion, and geography.
Imagery
As Cassandra's grief grows and morphs, imagery of her dead brother's face becomes more common.
Paradox
Cassandra is blamed for her brother's death, but logically had nothing to do with it.
Parallelism
N/A.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The "thudding sound" is used to refer to the beating of Cassandra's heart.
Personification
The water in which Wayne drowns is personified in the novel.
