RESPONSE TO MARY MARGARET ROAD-GRADER
Howard Waldrop’s “Mary Margaret Road-Grade” is a perfect literature gem in its blend of writing styles to develop the author’s perspective throughout the story. A significant understanding of the author’s perspective in the story will necessitate a credible analysis of the various stylistic devices deployed in the story. The dominant aspect of the story is the use of satire in developing the theme of “theft” in the story. The author uses satire almost to decriminalize theft cases in the story. For instance, Nathan notices his previously stolen Billy-Bob Chevrolet, which currently under the possession of the narrator. Satirically, Nathan offers to train the narrator on better stealing techniques instead of reclaiming his car.
The use of humour is also evident in the development of the narrator’s perspective. In the story, Freddie argues that they needed more tobacco supply. The narrator responds by saying that they should have stolen tobacco from the whites. The narrator further contends that it would cost more to steal tobacco from the visiting cars than it would cost them to steal from whites. The author uses humour to develop a decriminalized perspective of theft in the story. Besides, stealing tobacco instead of buying depicts the humorous gravity with which the author and the narrator perceive theft.
Moreover, hyperbole is deployed in developing the storyline and the literal perspective of the story. For instance, Nathan Big Gimp argues that he had witnessed Simon overturning three tractors two summers ago in the same ceremony. Nathan intends to praise the ability of Simon’s bulldozer by using an exaggerated description of the ability of Simons Bulldozer to overturn three tractors. This stylistic device develops the perspective of unlimited potential in the story.
Further exaggeration by the narrator is deployed in describing the humorous security precautions which new drivers were implementing in the ceremony. The narrator says, “some of the men kept their tied to their tow trucks as if they did not care whether people saw them or not.” The use of strings to protect tow trucks from theft is an exaggerated narration that also develops humour in the story.