Genre

bildungsroman, Caribbean novel

Narrator

Annie John

Point Of View

First person

Tone

It varies according to the age of Annie John. As a child, the language and imagery is very rich. As she ages, the tone grows more serious while also having more comic touches.

Tense

Past tense

Protagonist

Annie John

Major Conflict

Separation from mother and definition of self

Rising Action

Annie's fear of separation from her family Annie's viewing of her parents as a sexual unit Annie's rebelliousness and insolence against her mother Annie's friendship with Gwen and the Red Girl.

Climax

Annie John has a breakdown as a result of the confrontation with her mother and her need to finally become a separate self.

Falling Action

Annie recovers and recognizes herself as a separate person. She leaves Antigua to study in England.

Foreshadowing

Annie's essay about separating from her mother; Annie's feeling of a black ball of sadness inside her