Genre
Young Adult Fiction
Setting and Context
After World War Two in Monument, Massachusetts.
Narrator and Point of View
Francis Cassavant is the first-person narrator and protagonist of this novel.
Tone and Mood
The tone of the novel is melancholy but sometimes hopeful.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Francis, and the antagonist is Larry LeSalle.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the novel is between Francis and Larry.
Climax
The climax of the novel is when Larry rapes Nicole.
Foreshadowing
Francis' friend Joey accurately predicts that the Wreck Center is not good news.
Understatement
Francis understates how easy it will be to kill Larry.
Allusions
There are frequent allusions to World War II, and the experience of veterans after the war.
Imagery
Imagery is used to describe Francis' injuries in graphic detail.
Paradox
Larry LeSalle is lauded as a hero, but he is far from it.
Parallelism
Larry and Francis' suffering and suicidal tendencies are paralleled.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
