Genre
A short story
Setting and Context
The whole story is mostly Mitchell’s monologue about his returning home. The events take place in Australia in the 19th century.
Narrator and Point of View
The story is told from the third-person point of view by a limited narrator.
Tone and Mood
The tone is humorous whilst mood is relaxed.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Jack Mitchell is the protagonist of the story. There is no antagonist.
Major Conflict
This short story is not build on a conflict. The plot of the story is about Mitchell’s returning home and – a week later – leaving it.
Climax
The climax of this short story happens when readers find out why he – Mitchell – has left his home again.
Foreshadowing
“I’d been away from home for eight years,” said Mitchell to his mate.
Understatement
The old woman wouldn’t let go my hand for three mortal hours.
Mitchell behaves as if eight years are not a long period enough for a mother to miss her son.
Allusions
This short story alludes to Jack Mitchell, a fictional character invented by Henry Lawson. Mitchell kept reoccurring in a large number of Lawson’s short stories.
Imagery
See the imagery section
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
No – you’re smart – for fear I’d clear.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
