Genre
Philosophical novella
Setting and Context
The actions described in the story take place in the second part of the XVII century in France, in Low Brittany and in Paris.
Narrator and Point of View
The narration is revealed by the third-person
Tone and Mood
The tone of the story is sad; an atmosphere of sensitivity reigns here and it adds vague tragedy to the mood of the story in general.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is the Huron, French society is antagonist
Major Conflict
The main conflict is in opposition of a “natural man” with corrupted and perverted society; civilization with its wisdom and cruelty is opposed to the simple feelings and perception of the world of a human, who is not familiar with the rules according to which the modern society lives.
Climax
The climax comes when St. Yves dies.
Foreshadowing
When the Huron gives away the talisman which was supposed to bring him happiness, it foreshadows that unhappiness and other misfortunes might follow.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
The story alludes to Rabelais, Shakespeare, and some other poets and writers. Also there are allusions to Ancient Greek myths and Biblical legends.
Imagery
The central image of the story is the image of Huron as an embodiment of nature and spiritual purity; his image is opposed to other characters - abbots, judges, soldiers, and royal officials who are vicious and depraved.
Paradox
"The devil has certainly been in him since he has been christened."
Parallelism
“I set him at liberty. I made him my friend.” – grammatically these are parallel constructions.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
“All eyes were riveted on the Huron” (“all the eyes” is a metonymy for people looking).
Personification
N/A
