The Crossing: Cormac McCarthy

In this excerpt from The Crossing, by Cormac McCarthy, the subject has killed a wolf and is presently brooding over his feelings regarding the fallen creature. His thoughts are displayed in a rather convoluted manner, many of which offset one another, and can cause confusion for the reader. Fortunately, through the usage of diction, syntax, and imagery, McCarthy helps to convey the impact that the experience of the situation has on the main character. Diction …

…the wolf's death affected the subject. The impact of the wolf's death on the subject was blatantly significant, as denoted during the reading. Yet the author chose to convey that point in several ways other than content, which wholly improved the piece as well as made it more dramatic and profound. The author's thoughtful usage of diction, syntax, and imagery promoted the story to a plane higher than that of other works of its kind.