“Salt” was published in Sherman Alexie’s 2009 book, War Dances. The story follows a young intern at a local newspaper who must take over writing obituaries once the lead writer dies. This causes him to visit an elderly woman with dementia who grieves over her late husband and cat. The piece deals with the differences in youth and old age, highlighting the pain and disability often associated with the elderly. After witnessing this suffering firsthand, the protagonist is deeply affected and nearly disturbed by it, saying, “Jesus, I don’t want to die today or tomorrow, but I don’t want to live forever” (Alexie 208). Contrast is used in the story during the interaction the young intern had with the old woman. After she claims her dead cat had
