Genre
A novel
Setting and Context
The action takes place in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
Narrator and Point of View
The narrators of this novel are neighborhood boys, who always spend time with the Lisbon girls. They narrate the story of the girls’ life and remember their strong friendship.
Tone and Mood
The mood of this novel is more than dramatic. It is tragic, because the story about the girls’ suicide provokes only sad emotions.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The main protagonist are Cecilia, Lux, Therese, Mary and Bonnie. The main antagonist is Mrs. Lisbon, girls’ mother.
Major Conflict
The major conflict happens between daughters and mother. Mrs. Lisbon isolates her daughters and forbids communicating with friends and visiting school.
Climax
The climax happens at the end of the novel, when all girls of the Lisbon family commit suicide.
Foreshadowing
The foreshadowing is observed at the beginning of the novel. When Cecilia’s first attempt of suicide (she tries to slit her wrists) turns out to be unsuccessful, her psychological state is more despondent that foreshadows her next attempt of suicide.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
The novel alludes to the different popular songs such “Dear Prudence” by The Beatles, “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones, “At Seventeen” by Janice Ian, “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John and others. Neighborhood boys play different songs, which most thoroughly communicate their feelings and emotions to the Lisbon girls.
Imagery
Imagery is used in appearance descriptions and descriptions of the environment the girls are living in
Paradox
The paradox of this novel is that parents, who try to protect their daughters from the negative influence of the society, become a reason of the girls’ moral degradation and their death.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
“Our local newspaper neglected to run an article on the suicide attempt.”
In this line, “the local newspaper” is a metonymy as it stands for the editor, Mr. Baubee, who refuses to write the article about Cecilia’s suicide, because it is such depressing information.
Personification
All five girls embody virginity and purity.
Mr. and Mrs. Lisbon are understood as watchdogs, which carefully protect their property.
