Genre
Science Fiction
Setting and Context
Different parallel universes where men and women live in different contexts
Narrator and Point of View
Third person narration between different characters, characters not identified
Tone and Mood
The tone is as most science-fiction novels: fact-based narration.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonists: Jeannine, Joanne, Janet, Alice Antagonists: Cal, Mrs. Dadler
Major Conflict
Alice instigates the meeting of the four women in an attempt to drum up support for a revolution to eliminate all the men in her world.
Climax
The protagonists realize that they are not inferior to men and gain a dramatically heightened sense of independence.
Foreshadowing
From the beginning of the novel, clues are dropped about Alice's true plan.
Understatement
No notable instances.
Allusions
The novel alludes to many other works, including Russ's other work "When It Changed", as well as the iconic story of Beowulf.
Imagery
No significant instances.
Paradox
The parallel universes exist at the same time, yet in completely different timelines.
Parallelism
Things that happen in one world reflect onto another.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Vittoria uses as a metaphor the story of a bear trapped between worlds.
Personification
The feminine spirit is personified as strong, mighty and fearless.
