Genre
psychological fiction
Setting and Context
Dodson, Montana; Time not precisely indicated, appox. towards the end of 20th century
Narrator and Point of View
The narrator is also the main character in the novel, his name is never given; Point of view: first person
Tone and Mood
Tone: gloomy, cynical
Mood: depressed, melancholic
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: the narrator is the protagonist of the novel; Antagonist: even though there is no actual antagonist in the novel, the narrator's guilt could be seen as antagonizing
Major Conflict
Emotionally distant character of the narrator because of the guilt he feels for the death of his brother decides to look for the girl he previously brought home to be his wife and who run away with his gun and razor.
Climax
Trying to free the cow from the mud and finally expressing the frustration of the burden of the guilt and the anger he feels for the rest of the world the narrator ends up lying finally free and content in the mud of the summer storm.
Foreshadowing
"And it was questioned whether Doagie was her real father or not."-talking about Theresa's father, who would later prove to indeed be someone else
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
"There was a double feature playing, one Western starring John Wayne, the other Randolph Scott."
Imagery
Imagery of birds following the narrator and his emotional struggle
Paradox
"He was a big man, soft and healthy, like a baby."
Parallelism
"I cursed Dougie and his sister for bringing me to such a sorry pass, and I cursed the white man for being such a fool and my hotel room for being such a tiny sanctuary on a great earth of stalking white men."
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
""They talk a lot about that. They are not happy."
"Not happy? But surely to a dear one year is as good as the next.""
