Shane Character Analysis

In the book Shane, by Jack Schaefer, what seems at first to be a typical Old West novel rapidly transitions into a deep story of sacrifice and caring. A mysterious man rides into a troubled valley; he is a strange man, different from all the inhabitants. All he tells the family he ends up living with is “‘Call me Shane,’ he said.” While initially seeming to be threatening, Shane is proved to be alert, perceptive, and caring. Bob realizes Shane is alert from the time he notices Shane riding into the valley. Constantly waiting, Shane seems to have the easiness of a “coiled spring.” After agreeing to work for Joe, Shane abruptly claims the spot that was traditionally Joe’s, puzzling Bob immensely. Suddenly, Bob realizes that Shane’s new position …show more content…
After Marian determinedly remakes her apple pie, refusing assistance, Shane blandly commented on it being “stump pie.” The tension between Marian and the others is dissolved by Shane’s perception of the parallels between her struggle with the pie and Joe and Shane’s battle with the stump. Another example of his perception is his accurate reading of Fletcher’s character. Before Wilson comes into town, but after the bar fight, Joe asks Shane for his interpretation of Fletcher and what he thinks Fletcher will do next. Shane states that he thinks Fletcher will go for a move that decides the whole business once and for all. Immediately, Joe agrees, and Shane is proven correct when Fletcher brings Wilson back to town. At the end of Shane, Bob is confused and worried over Wilson’s ability to shoot Shane. His boy’s mind cannot comprehend wrong ever winning over right. According to Bob, looking back on that moment as an adult, Shane understood what he was really asking when Bob wonders if Shane could have avoided injury entirely should he have been “in practice.” Realizing how much that meant to Bob, Shane simply answers “Sure.” Shane’s gift of perception assists the Starett