Genre
A short story
Setting and Context
The story takes place in Corinth, Texas, the USA. All events happen within 24 hours. Nine-year-old Arnold accidentally shoots his brother dead.
Narrator and Point of View
The story is told from the third person point of view by an omniscient narrator.
Tone and Mood
Tone is oppressive while mood is moving and sad.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Arnold is the protagonist of the story. Death is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is person vs. self, for Arnold tries to that he is not a mean person to himself.
Climax
The first night without Eugene is the climax of the story.
Foreshadowing
A rifle foreshadows the events of the story. It is like Chekhov’s gun. If there is a rifle, then there must be a shot.
Understatement
If your brother is shot dead, he is shot dead. What’s the use of gettin’ emotional about it?
This quote of uncle Andy is supposed to show how heartless Arnold is.
Allusions
The story alludes to the Corinth Country Annual Rodeo.
Imagery
Imagery is used to depict Arnold’s emotional state and the atmosphere in the house.
Paradox
He was nine, six years younger than Eugie and in their waking hours it was he who was subordinate.
It is usually younger children who have more freedom, for they have less responsibilities.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
It was silence that seemed to observe his father.
