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Summary and Thematic Analyisis of "On the Antlers" by Annie Proulx - Free Homework Help
Experience revenge and hatred in a small town, in "On the Antlers" by Annie Proulx. Photo Credit: Author |
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A Summary of "On the Antler" by Annie Proulx
“On the Antler” by Annie Proulx is a short story that is found in "Heart Songs," an anthology made up of eleven short stories. Annie Proulx is an awarded author who is famous for writing Brokeback Mountain. This short story focuses on the changes in a rural community, and the changing relationship of two original inhabitants of the New England village.
The traditional land of the area has been systematically sold to wealthy urban citizens while the original farmers have moved to the city looking for work. The theme of "On the Antler" is that of long-festering hatred morphing into revenge.
The stories' two main characters are: Hawkwheel, a quiet lover of books and an enthusiast traditional woodsman, and Strong, the owner of the local store and mean-spirited prankster. Strong regularly played “pranks” on Hawkwheel in their childhood, which unfailingly landed the young boy in trouble.
Why Was Bill Strong So Mean in "On the Antlers"?
Annie Proulx gives insight into Stong's emotional problems. At the age of fifteen, he lost his family to food poisoning and now suffers from survivor's guilt. The only reason he was saved from the poison that night was due to an illicit sexual tryst that night.
Strong and Hawkwheel never grew out of this unbalanced relationship, and as their community loses land, jobs, and their last bits of dignity to the wealthy individuals moving into town, Hawkwheel and Strong’s relationship becomes even more stressed.
Hawkwheel has a "secret" hunting and fishing area in the local
forest, where he feels safe and at peace. While Hawkwheel seems focused on maintaining the status quo, or what's left of it, Strong is
busy selling off his own family’s history. He sells his family’s heirlooms
to the invading out-of-towners, while also sharing local information to
them. This information includes the location of Hawkwheel’s secret
places. His last refuge.
This final cruelty culminates in Hawkwheel’s revenge of destroying
all of the Strong’s family books. Even though Strong is willing to sell his family's heirlooms to survive, he never wanted to see them destroyed.
Unsplash | Photo Credit: Mercedes Mehling via
What is the Theme in "On the Antler" by E. Annie Proulx?
"On the Antler" deals with themes of revenge and life in rural America, and many times, how the two affect each other. Deep-seated revenge can have a powerful effect as it is carried through generations to affect the later lives of characters.
Bill Stong’s hatred for Leverd Hawkheel is one which was passed down by his father and not because of a personal experience. Even though Leverd Hawkheel has motive he reigns in his anger until the end. The final act affects both parties negatively like a classic revenge tale.
"On the Antler" Conclusion
Hawkwheel’s revenge was two-fold. He got revenge on Strong by destroying some of the last remaining items of his family, and he played out revenge on the invaders by destroying something they collected, but only valued monetarily and not for information that was held within the books.
September
30, 2016 - American author Annie Proulx attends a luncheon hosted by
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman and Mrs. Vicki Heyman ahead of an
appearance at the 2016 Ottawa Writers Festival. |
All About Annie Proulx
'Write about what you'd like to know."
— Annie Proulx
Did you know?
Annie Proulx may be most well known for her short story "Brokeback Mountain" which was adapted into the Academy Award-winning movie.
All About Annie Proulx
- Annie was born on August 22, 1935, in Connecticut, has spent much of her life in the US Northeast, but currently live in Seattle Washington.
- She very much dislikes interviews.
- Has been publishing short fiction since her 20s.
- Began as a freelance journalist.
- Believes in writing what you don't know, saying "I don't much like the kind of book that is nothing but interior self-examination. I think part of the fault lies with the bad advice writers have been getting for years... Sometimes what you know is pretty boring."
Annie Proulx talks about "Brokeback Mountain"
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