The short story is written in the past tense, which is easier for readers to understand than the present or future. This readability means that the reader is not as distracted and the events and characterizations that occur in the story are more noticeable. Liz acts as narrator for most of the story through a limited third-person point of view. However, the first and fourth paragraphs provide an objective account of the history and physical description of the town and characters, making statements such as "Jim Gilmore came to Hortons Bay from Canada", while the second paragraph and the beginning of page 77 provide a more detailed description. a subjective but limited insight into Jim's perspective through comments such as "Jim… loved her [Liz's] face because he was so happy but he never thought about her" and "Jim started to feel good” (Hemingway, 2005, 74, 77). This shift in narrative perspective highlights Jim and Liz's divergent viewpoints, as the initial objective statements simply provide descriptions of the characters and promote Jim's active role in the story as he "came" from Canada and he “bought” his forge (74). Ziff argues that Hemingway "communicates a sense of receptivity rather than a sense of activity on the part of the narrator" (1978: 418). This sense of receptivity is evident on Liz's part, as she was too afraid to cook or talk to Jim, instead content to see him "when he was out" (Hemingway, 2005, 75, 77). Her receptivity is further emphasized during her sexual interaction with Jim, as while he actively touches her, Liz “stood stiff” (Hemingway, 2005, 77). Additionally, her actions in kissing Jim are limited, more like “Jim kissed her,” and Liz simply receives that kiss (Hemingway, 2005, 77). Liz's reception of Jim's advances highlights her vulnerability and passivity, characteristics of