So What Are You, Anyway?

The author explores the socio-political implications of his protagonist Carole’s Loss of Innocence by limiting the third person narrator’s access to Carole’s consciousness. In this way, the narrative present is filtered through Carole’s innocent, youthful, and childlike perspective. Prior to the introduction of Henry and Betty Norton, Carole’s world is peaceful. She is content with her doll, her purse, and her mirror in her seat “beside the window” (Paragraph 1). She feels no discomfort about what she is doing and where she is going; she feels no shame over how she looks or who she is. Her character, therefore, is still lodged in the uninhibited innocence of childhood.

Once the Nortons enter the narrative stage, Carole experiences an involuntary awakening into adulthood. The couple’s appearance beside Carole on the plane serves as the story’s inciting incident, and their introduction into Carole’s otherwise safe, insular world catalyzes Carole’s loss of innocence. Hill primarily conveys their negative influence on the child through dialogue. For example, when Henry sees that

Unlock all 27 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App

+ Printable PDF

+ Literary AI Tools

Unlock Full Library