Mary Robison uses a third-person narrator, an objective observer, to convey
             tone and theme in her short story "Yours." The narrator's stance perfectly
             parallels the seemingly detached attitude of the main characters, Allison
             and Clark. Although Allison is sick, the narrator only mentions her
             immanent death at the end of the tale, only hinting slightly at her
             condition by stating that the thirty-five year old woman wore a wig.
             However, that mere fact would not necessarily suggest illness; the narrator
             also focuses strongly on the eerie setting of an October night in Virginia
             as the backdrop for the story. Suggesting death, the Halloween atmosphere
             corresponds to the narrative. In fact, the wig implies disguise, a
             fundamental aspect of the Halloween holiday. Furthermore, Allison and Clark
             avoid addressing death directly, just as the narrator does: the bulk of the
             story consists of descriptions of the couple carving pumpkins on their
             porch at night. What isn't discussed becomes as powerful as what is,
             similar to the way in which what is carved out of the pumpkin becomes as
             important as what is left behind. Because the narrator's attitude and
             observations closely mimic those of Allison and Clark, the third-person
             objective point of view enables the reader to understand the impact of
             The narrative would have a different impact had the narrator been one
             of the main characters. Very little insight is offered into how Allison
             actually feels; however, the narrator offers a lot of subtle cues that help
             the reader formulate a clearer picture of her personality and her life. For
             example, the reader gathers from her clothing that she is a practical
             woman: "she wore durable clothes, usually, for she volunteered afternoons
             at a children's day-care center," (275). Moreover, her volunteer work
             suggests a selfless personality; although she is near death she
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