In the story The Interlopers, Saki writes about two families that have been feuding for generations. He writes about how “interlopers” stop them from rivaling, and eventually bring the two of them to be friends only minutes before they are eaten by wolves. He does this by using dramatic irony. Through the character’s words he tells us what the two will do when they get back to town now that they are friends. This leads you to believe that the feud is over and everything is all right.
The author then, however, allows the characters to be eaten by wolves; contrary to the resolution that could be concluded from the explanation and/or foreshadowing of the resolution. Saki’s purpose for writing this story was probably to get across the point that you should not hold long grudges, especially without knowing the reason, or it might be too late to apologize. His unorthodox style of writing however does achieve his purpose. The characters in his story finally make-up, but then they are eaten and do not have the chance to tell their families of the news.
If you could continue the story, you would probably be able to assume that then the families continued to feud. The story All the Years of Her Life by Morley Callaghan, on the other hand, contrasts greatly with The Interlopers in this area. In the story All the Years of Her Life, Callaghan writes about a young boy who works at a thrift store and is caught stealing merchandise one day. By the young boy, Alfred, getting in trouble it affects his mother; upsets and embarrasses her, and by watching his mother cry Alfred matures.
The Essay on King Henry Story Character Decision
Each character makes a decision that comes with issues that affects the story. Absalom Kumalo in Cry the Beloved Country, Tom Roberson in To kill a Mocking Bird, and King Henry in A Man for all Seasons all make decisions that contribute greatly to the pot of the novels. This proves that minor characters can influence the outcome of the story. In Cry the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton, Absalom ...
The story contrasts to The Interlopers because the author gives you vivid clues to what will be the resolution and there are no tricks or twists. Alfred is confronted by Mr. Carr, the store clerk, and is caught. Mr. Carr then calls Alfred’s mother, Mrs. Higgins, to stop by because Alfred is in trouble. Mrs. Higgins arrives and Mr. Carr makes clear to her the situation. She asks Alfred if it is true that he stole the items, and he confesses so she takes him home. Alfred sees his mother’s pain, and causes him to think some and mature.
He acts more grown up afterwards, and there is no iron y in the resolution of this story. Callaghan achieves his purpose of showing that situations that require acting grown-up can cause you to mature in your thinking. In both stories, the main characters are significantly changed due to circumstances and situations that they face. In the story The Interlopers, the two men were fierce enemies because of the feud that had been going on in their family. By the end they have pity for each other, put aside their differences and become friends.
In All the Years of Her Life, Alfred is changed in the way that he has matured. He realizes that his petty thefts and childish antics deeply hurt his mother; embarrass her because he sees her crying on the night that he was caught for stealing from Mr. Carr’s store. You can say that the characters in both stories not only change but so mature enough to humble themselves to better the problem. I thought that the Interlopers was a well-written story, the plot was good. The liked the purpose of the author and the way in which he chose to achieve his purpose.
The dramatic irony teaches me (the reader) a moralistic lesson: not to hold a grudge, because you know not your fate and might not ever get a chance to apologize. All the Years of Her Life, on the other hand, I thought was a pretty dull story. It was well written, but lacked originality with the plot. The author did much more than foreshadow the ending, he pretty much just laid it out on the table for you; enough to anticipate what would happen at the end at least. That is why it did not hold my attention as the reader as well.
