Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
Set in Florida
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Tense and intriguing.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The central character is Jadine Childs.
Major Conflict
There is a conflict between Valerian and his wife, Margaret, over the invitation of strangers to live in their house.
Climax
The climax is when Jadine moves together with Son to live as a couple in New York.
Foreshadowing
Michael’s failure to honor his mother’s invitation for Christmas to the island is foreshadowed by the childhood torture he received from her.
Understatement
Margaret's innocence is understated. Valerian is shocked to learn that Margaret tortured their son, Michael.
Allusions
The story alludes to life exploration.
Imagery
The images of railroad tracks depict sight imagery to readers.
Paradox
The main paradox is that Jadine is first frightened of Son, but at last, they end as lovers.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Picnic is used as a metonymy for fun and relaxation.
Personification
N/A
