The Half-Skinned Steer | Use of Imagery To Foreshadow
In the following essay, the author discusses Proulx’s use of bestial and violent images to underscore the inevitability of Mero’s death.
Like most of Proulx’s works, ‘‘The Half-Skinned Steer’’ draws readers into a tough world—in this case, the harsh ranching life and landscape of Wyoming. Mero tries to escape this world as a young man by moving far away. As he drives back to his family’s ranch sixty years later for his brother’s funeral, he immerses himself in this uncaring world once again, first through his memories, then in person. However, like before, he does not understand how to survive in this world, so all of his misguided attempts to get to the funeral ultimately lead to his tragic end. By...
[The entire page is 1972 words long]
Join eNotes
The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:
Summary and Analysis – Themes – Characters – And much more...
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
Tell a friend about The Half-Skinned Steer at eNotes.
