Genre
adventure fiction
Setting and Context
ranch in California, exact time not included
Narrator and Point of View
Third person omniscient
Tone and Mood
Tone: ambiguous, speculative
Mood: tense, suspenseful
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: John Wayne, Antagonist: The land he occupied which became his grave at the end
Major Conflict
Young Joseph Wayne sets out to have his own ranch in California where he will build his own life.
Climax
In a desperate attempt to save his land from drought, Joseph sacrifices a calf he found on the road. Upon realizing that it doesn't work he decides to sacrifice his own life for the land and while he is dying the rain starts to fall.
Foreshadowing
Elizabeth going to the pine groove and feeling threatened by the moss-covered stone there foreshadows her upcoming death.
Understatement
Joseph understates the warnings that the land is known, through the years and experience of villagers, to be struck by horrifying droughts and continues in his quest to make a life there.
Allusions
A Vedic hymn: To a God Unknown
Imagery
Extensive imagery of nature: mountains, hills, greenery, trees, rivers etc.
Paradox
"He kept himself from evil and he found evil in nearly all close human contacts."
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
"The guitars" referring to guitar players
Personification
"Three meadowlarks with yellow vests and light grey coats hopped near the tent stretching their beaks, friendly and curious. Now and then they puffed their chests and raised their heads like straining prima donnas and burst into a rising ecstasy of song, then cocked their heads at Joseph to see whether he noticed or approved."
