Scarlett and the Sinkhole by Padgett Powell provide a mixture of sobriety and humor. It is told in the third person. The narrator’s point of view is, however, limited. This Way, he keeps a lot of information away from the reader. This contributes to sympathy towards Scarliotti. On the other hand, his exploits bring out a sense of humor and depth.
Scarlett is in a sorry, pitiful, and bleak state. The tone that the narrator uses is a complete contrast to this sad condition. The narrator should have used a more appropriate manner that is evidence or characteristic of Scarliotti’s situation. However, to some significant extent, this limited point of view enhances the story as we get a trip through Scarlliotti’s twisted experiences and thoughts. Scarliotti also looks unperturbed by the sinkhole below his trailer, something that would definitely disturb many people.
The narrator relies a lot on Scarliotti, making the other characters rigid and static. The reader is led to believe that his worldview is either inherent or as a result of Tomos, which is what he calls his brain condition.