Genre
A novel
Setting and Context
The action takes place in the east, in a Japanese village.
Narrator and Point of View
The narrator of the story is a third person, who tells about the life of the main personage and his feelings, which he gets during his stay in the hole.
Tone and Mood
Because of the vital thoughts of the major character the novel has a philosophical mood. Also it has a romantic mood, which is given by relationships between Nikki and the woman in the dunes.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The major protagonist is Nikki. The major antagonist are the inhabitants of the village.
Major Conflict
The major conflict happens between Nikki and people. They leave him in the hole and force him to work.
Climax
The climax happens when Nikki gets used to the life in the dunes, because he is sure that nothing and nobody can help him.
Foreshadowing
Actually, readers can notice the foreshadowing, when Nikki says that that village isn’t dangerous. Here the author hints on the danger, which the main hero doesn’t suspect.
Understatement
The plot does not give direct explanation of woman’s purpose of collecting sand. Well, it is for selling, but the sand from the desert can be collected as well, there is no such a need to sit in a hole.
Allusions
This story alludes different families of insects such as Cieindela Japonica, Motschulsky.
Imagery
Imagery is used when describing the landscape of the village and sands around. It helps to portray the surroundings the main character gets into
Paradox
The paradox can be observed, when Nikki says that he is buried alive in the hole, but then he rejects his words and says that only dog can perish there.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The insect personifies Nikki’s enemy, who forces the man to fall into a trap, take away his freedom and destroy the life.
