Papillon

Style and Technique

Papillon by Henri Charrière is an autobiographical work written in a simple and accessible language. The author uses a wealth of detail to describe his experiences, escapes, and the lives of prisoners. The narrative is told in the first person, allowing readers to delve deeper into the protagonist's inner world and feel all the emotions he endured. The structure of the book is non-linear, containing many digressions and returns to previous events, making the narrative resemble memories that form a cohesive story. Charrière employs realistic descriptions and literary techniques that help convey the atmosphere of prisons and colonies, as well as the life and thoughts of a prisoner fighting for freedom.