Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
The novel is set in Kentucky, in Mining Hollow, from the view of their life.
Narrator and Point of View
The narrators are Ruth Blue Wallen, Earl Wallen and Andrew.
Tone and Mood
Somber, pessimistic, and resilient
Protagonist and Antagonist
Ruth Blue Wallen is the protagonist of the story.
Major Conflict
The main conflict occurs when Ruth Blue Wallen struggles with her faith and religion as she tries her level best to connect with God.
Climax
The climax occurs when Ruth uses her religion to suppress her son, Andrew, from becoming gay.
Foreshadowing
Ruth's obsession with religion foreshadows restrictive parenting, which forces her son to be defiant and follow the same-sex orientation.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
Hopelessness is alluded to; for instance, Ruth resolves to be a religious fanatic to forget her problems. Ruth's husband abandons her dreams and becomes a coal miner.
Imagery
The imageries of the bird, soot and the mining hollow are prevalent all over the novel.
Paradox
The paradox of Christianity is rampant in the novel. For instance, the Holy book teaches Christians not to judge. Ironically, Christians judge homosexuals as outcasts and unfit people in society.
Parallelism
The parallel between Ruth and her husband is evident because both have stories of hopelessness.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Religion is personified as an individual influencer in Ruth’s life.
