The Spear Cuts Through Water

Analyze the novel’s unusual structure, paying particular attention to the layers of narrative and point of view. How do these structural choices and techniques contribute to the plot, character, or themes of the novel?

Who is the grandchild? What does the narrative reveal about this character, and what do they contribute to the overall narrative? Explain using examples from the text.

What is the role of family in the novel? How does family work as a source of support and of conflict? What does the novel imply about the moral weight of family loyalty?