Personification is a commonly used literary tool throughout the novel. When Jeanette is burned by fire as a child she depicts it as dancing. This adds to the story by showing the battle Jeanette faces with fire and making the novel more life-like and helps us feel as though we are in the moment. Any author would use personification would use this tool for the same reason that Jeannette did. Adding emotion to the moment.

A theme present is this novel is the idea of dreams vs reality. We can especially see it in Rose Mary who wants to be an artist, claiming she will be one. Calling herself an excitement addict, always chasing something new. She‘s conflicted at times when she realizes the impoverished life that her family is living. Out of pressure from her kids she will leave her fantasy world and get a job as a teacher so that the family can make ends meet.