Saki utilizes the setting of his short story to disclose the theme of man over man. The land that the two main characters, Ulrich and Georg, were battling over, “was not remarkable for the game it harbored or the shooting it afforded, but it was the most jealously guarded of all the owners.” Meaning, Saki uses the unprofitable terrain in the Carpathians to demonstrate that even though the land did not benefit either party, they still fought over …show more content…
In the short story Saki introduces Ulrich as a man “who patrolled the dark forest in quest of a human enemy .” This introduction shows the use of ominous words such as words like patrolled, dark, and human enemy. These words are particularly sinister because they make you think Ulrich is hunting in a dark, creepy forest to kill an awful man. Which connects to the motif of power, since Ulrich thinks george is inferior. Meaning, Ulrich thinks he is superior enough to kill george, because he is his enemy.
Saki also enhances the motif of the story with syntax when he states, “Natures own violence overwhelmed them both. A fierce shriek of the storm had been answered.” This quote makes it appear as if nature actually could answer them with the use of personification. Moreover it proves that nature as power over them. Saki uses syntax and diction to improve the story.
Without a doubt, Saki uses many literary devices to develop the motif of power in his story. By doing this he also shows that if a person obsesses over power it will destroy