In using four different narrators in Dry, Neal and Jarrod Shusterman convey that there are multiple influences at work in dealing with the water crisis. No one individual can single-handedly affect a global crisis, but different approaches may help alleviate or may worsen the impact. The authors suggest that each individual’s perspective is clouded by the concerns that they see as central; these include their own self-interest as well as their concern for their family, friends, and community. By offering different people’s views on the same events, the Shustermans suggest that there is not a single, objective truth in the story—a position that would have been promoted by the use of a single, omniscient third-person narrator.

The authors further suggest that there is considerable complexity in the actions and motives of various characters. If they relied only on the perspectives of the other three characters, readers might readily conclude that Henry is intended as the villain of the novel, as he seems not just selfish but even devious. Including his point of view allows for a more nuanced interpretation of what he does and why. Similarly, Jacqui’s initial status as an outsider is complicated by including her perspective.