In his short story "Ruthless," William de Mille uses several symbols to reveal the character of Judson in just two pages. Symbols are also used to represent the trap that he plans to spring on the suspected burglar. The main symbols are the locked closet to which he has the only key, the half-empty bottle of bourbon, and the pills containing rat poison. Through these symbols, the author shows Judson’s personality and the trap he sets to catch a thief.

As the story begins, the author presents Judson as a deeply suspicious person who places a high value on his possessions. Within the family’s cabin, which will be locked while they are away for the winter, is a locked closet. The author states that Judson is so possessive about his things that his wife does not even have a key to the closet. This shows how little he trusts other people.

When Judson finds that someone has been drinking from one of the liquor bottles, he is furious over the theft of his possession. Presumably he rarely drinks, because he notices the discrepancy only as they are about to leave the cabin. He assumes the theft occurred the previous winter. The half-empty bottle symbolizes his over-attachment to things, as it is something that he does not actually need.

The rat poison stands for Judson’s intent not only to harm but to kill the liquor thief. Although his wife tries to dissuade him, he resolutely goes through with the plan. The “ruthlessness” of the title, which is a fundamental part of his personality, is shown through this plan. The author also uses irony to show that such a trait does not always lead to an intended goal.