Genre
Short fiction
Setting and Context
Postmodern setting. America.
Narrator and Point of View
First-person narrator
Tone and Mood
Witty, poignant, enthralling, and engaging
Protagonist and Antagonist
“A Story of Stolen Salamis”: the Italian landlord is the protagonist, whereas Davis's son is the antagonist. “A Story told to me by a Friend”: Internet lovers are the main subjects.
Major Conflict
"A Story told to me by a Friend": Physical meeting of the internet lovers.
Climax
"A Story told to me by a Friend": Demise of one of the internet lovers before their meeting.
Foreshadowing
Davis’ stories lack foreshadowing.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
“On the Train” alludes to etiquette and common sense.
Imagery
“A Story of Stolen Salamis”: The imagery of the dead lover underscores the illusion and perils of online dating.
“On the Train”: The narrator is judgmental and observes the other passengers’ mannerisms to determine whether they are good or bad manners
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
“A Story of Stolen Salamis”: “They were not sausages. They were salamis.” These parallel sentences, which are also repeated at the end of the story, are intended to underscore the landlord’s perceived differences between sausages and salamis.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
A Story told to me by a Friend": “this was it” refers to a dream romantic relationship.
Personification
The mattress is "Susie Brown Will be in Town" is personified.
