the novel combines different tenses and points of view in a stream-of-consciousness fashion. frequently, the character who forms the focus of a particular chapter will begin speaking to the captain in the present and in the first person, and then his story will switch to the third person as some experience in the past is narrated. though the “past” begins with the characters’ arrival back in portugal, earlier incidents, particularly those from the war, are frequently included. other characters may interject in the first person in the present, offering commentary on another's story. sometimes one character's story will transition into another character's story. this technique is especially evident in the final chapter, which is the most fragmented and quickly switches voices. sometimes fantasy elements are introduced as characters imagine possible scenarios.