The Unchanging Inevitability Of Death In The School By Donald Barthelme

The unchanging inevitability of death is a dark topic which many people find uncomfortable to discuss. However, in his short story “The School,” Donald Barthelme not only addresses this topic, but also forces the reader to consider and evaluate the subject as they read. Barthelme portrays the attitude of darkness due to inevitable death through the use of the narrator's tone and voice, a surprising beginning, and abrupt shifts of mood between paragraphs.
One way Barthelme produces an attitude of darkness regarding the inevitability of death is through the narrator and the dark humor his character creates. Throughout the story, as the levels of death continue to escalate, the narrator remains calm - seemingly uninterested. He often reacts …show more content…
The first paragraph contains the first of many deaths in the story. It states that the orange trees all died. Though the reason is unknown, each of the children’s trees died and they are left to sadly look at the trees (par 1). By presenting the first death quickly, Barthelme shocks the reader with this surprising opening while also establishing the stance for the story. Barthelme immediately introduces the depressing tone to present the concept of inevitable death. Beginning the story in the middle of serious events draws the reader in and establishes the attitude of the …show more content…
The most dramatic change in the story occurs when the class decides to adopt a Korean orphan. Though the children worked hard to adopt the child, they receive a letter stating that the child died. This really affects the children and they begin to lose hope in many ways but it also begins to make them question the concept of death, as it is something they lack knowledge on (par 8). This paragraph includes not only the first human death in the story, but also the first time the narrator explicitly says that the children have lost hope. This change of heart, contrasting the near hope shown by the children before receiving the news of the loss, alters the tone of the story. The change brings the mood further into darkness than it already was and brings a depressing sense of personal loss to the class. By including a dramatic change, Barthelme darkens the tone of an already gloomy story. By utilizing understatements and casual language, a surprising start, and dramatic changes of tone, Barthelme communicates an attitude of darkness that surrounds certain death. These strategies are found throughout the story and not only convey the attitude but also compel the reader to think seriously about the nature of death. In “The School,” Barthelme effectively uses strategies to portray an attitude surrounding inevitable death. Though many find the topic to be uncomfortable,