Orientation: And Other Stories Literary Elements

A collection of short stories

The majority of events take place during a rather short period of time in the United States and South America.

Some stories are told from the first point of view, but the majority of the stories are told from the third point of view by an omniscient narrator.

The tone changes from ironic to thoughtful. The mood varies between humorous, pessimistic and somber.

A newbie is the protagonist of Orientation. Baby is the protagonist of the Bridge. The woman, Hector, the father and the son are the protagonists of Hunger Tales. The Ne Guy is the protagonist of the story I Run Every Day. Anastasio Somoza Debayle is the protagonist of Somoza’s Dream. Two patrol officers are the protagonists of Officers Weep. Hailey is the protagonist of Only Connect. Clarissa Snow is the protagonist of Temporary Stories. The majority of stories don’t have an antagonist.

The major conflicts are person vs. self. For instance, the woman from Hunger Tales, Hector from Hunger Tales, the New Guy from I Run Every Day, Hailey from Only Connect and Clarissa Snow from Temporary Stories have inner conflicts.

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Kevin Howard sits in that cubicle over there. He is a serial killer, the one they call the Carpet Cutter, responsible for the mutilations across town. We’re not supposed to know that, so do not let on. Don’t worry. His compulsion inflicts itself on stranger only.
The character of the story speaks about slaughtering of innocent people as if it is not a big deal.

The stories allude to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bible, Josef Mengele and Anastasio Somoza Debayle.

See imagery section

Isn’t the world a funny place? Not in the ha-ha sense, of course.

Do not let on. If you let on, you may be let go.

She will always lend an ear and put in a good word for you. (Metonymy)

The room groaned and creaked.