Genre
Academic novel
Setting and Context
A small farm in Missouri, in 1891
Narrator and Point of View
An unnamed, third-person omniscient narrator.
Tone and Mood
The tone is moving; the mood is powerful.
Protagonist and Antagonist
William is the protagonist; World War I is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the novel occurs when Stoner is advised not to continue working on the farm, but instead to educate himself at agriculture college.
Climax
The climax of the story is reached when Stoner gives in to his desires and has an affair with Katherine, a work colleague.
Foreshadowing
Stoner’s love for literature is foreshadowed by the bedtime stories that were read to him as a kid.
Understatement
The role of parental limitations and pressure is understated throughout the novel.
Allusions
The story alludes to the need to follow your passions, no matter what.
Imagery
The imagery of the vivid literary worlds of the books is present in the novel.
Paradox
The fact that Stoner is from a farming family, yet wishes to escape is an example of paradox in the story.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between the friendships Stoner develops at university and the love he has for English.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
