Sentence Structures – Many sentences are clear and grammatically standard, but Lessing often uses long, complex sentences with multiple clauses.

Themes & Content – Some sections are philosophical or introspective, requiring careful reading and interpretation (e.g. Anna reflects on her life and realizes that she feels split into separate “selves”—her political self, her professional self, her personal self, and her emotional self. Or when Anna questions her previous commitment to the Communist Party, thinking about personal morality vs. political loyalty. She examines betrayal, compromise, and disillusionment).