My AP Literature class studied an excerpt from Cormac McCarthy’s The Crossing. I was inspired to further analyze the various rhetorical techniques used to convey the impact of the experience on the main character.
The excerpt from The Crossing, by Cormac McCarthy, details a touching story about a man and a dead wolf. While the third person narrator initially focuses on the actions of the burial, the protagonist’s anguish and emotional distress are later revealed. Through McCarthy’s unique use of various rhetorical devices, it is clear that a strong connection exists between the man and the wolf.
The first two paragraphs immediately dive into the man’s actions as he prepares to bury the wolf. With the repetition of “he” at the start of each sentence, readers become aware of the man’s precise and mechanical nature. While the beginning lines are short and simple, McCarthy’s also employs varied syntax. The 10-line run-on sentence lacking any punctuation at the beginning of the second paragraph demonstrates the man’s intense focus and close attention to detail. This risky device allows McCarthy to successfully convey the physical impact of the experience on the man.
The third paragraph shifts to reveal the man’s emotional side with more descriptive diction. By “cradling” the wolf, stroking her “bloodied forehead,” and reminiscing on her “delight,” the man’s emotional attachment to the wolf becomes evident. Not only does he bury the wolf, he mourns her and thinks of her adoringly. Similes and metaphors also contribute by furthering the emotional aspect of the experience. These devices serve to depict the burial as a somber and painful moment for the main character.
McCarthy also switches to first person and uses a collective “we” to draw readers in and invite them into the narrative. This technique allows readers to become part of the experience and fully understand the unifying connection between the man and the wolf. The religious and philosophical references further express the profound impact on the man. This impact is so significant that it goes beyond the story itself as McCarthy concludes by referencing nature and addressing the world as a whole.