There are two main points to consider in relation to the book's use of language. The first is its near-poetic sensibility, communicating images and emotions with words rich in metaphor and imagery. This sensibility functions well to reinforce the essential state of being of the central character/narrator, her lifelong connection to a world (that of spirits and nature) beyond that that triggers and sustains her physical and emotional suffering. It's also important to remember that, as the epilogue indicates, the voice of the narrator is that of a dead woman, a point that will be discussed further in this commentary.