Genre
Biography
Setting and Context
The novel is set in the United States during Miller's early years and throughout Europe thereafter (especially during WWII), but particuarly in London.
Narrator and Point of View
The book is told from the perspective of Antony Penrose, the book's author and Lee Miller's son.
Tone and Mood
The book is reflective, pensive, flattering, and nostalgic.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Penrose portrays Miller as the protagonist and sexism as the antagonist.
Major Conflict
Throughout the novel, Miller frequently encounters sexism from men who can't stomach in important positions or positions of power.
Climax
The book climaxes when Miller learns of her husbands affair Diane Deriaz, spiraling her into a depression.
Foreshadowing
Penrose foreshadows his mother's alcoholism and PTSD breakdowns in his descriptions of her time in World War II, where she experienced horrific, traumatic things.
Understatement
Throughout the book, Penrose frequently understates just how trailblazing his mother was in the world (but particularly in the world of journalism). She was one of the first female war correspondents.
Allusions
Penrose frequently alludes to historical events, popular culture throughout the life of his mother, and the geography of the United States and Europe.
Imagery
Penrose uses brutal, grotesque imagery to describe the horrible things his mother witnessed in war, underscoring the terrible and damaging nature of war.
Paradox
Miller was the best person to be Vogue's war correspondent, but was discriminated against because she was a woman.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Downing Street is used to refer to the seat of the U.K. government and the home of the Prime Minister of U.K.
Personification
Miller's camera is personified and compared to a living, almost supernatural, thing.
