Climax of Action: Snow drinks poison; he dies. The villagers rush him off to the doctor’s. The boy and Malden are alone with Yen Sin. Malden runs to fetch his wife and child. Yen Sin sends the boy for the minister. Yen Sin’s departure, “China way,” and Malden’s prayer for his soul.
Study the interval of time between every two stages of the action. Observe the quickening of tempo near the close, added to a cumulative weightiness of effect.
Theme. The story is thought-provoking in its bigness of theme which every reader will express for himself. Many will see no further than the concrete events. Others may be tempted, perhaps, to read more into the story than the author consciously included. But it seems to be clear that the end of the struggle is in the yellow man’s favor. The closing sentence emphasizes the irony of mission work.
Characterization. Is the boy’s angle uniform in regard to his apprehension and comprehension at the age of thirteen? Does he occasionally seem older? younger?
What attributes of the Minister invite your sympathy? How are his qualities given—through the boy, or through his report of acts and speeches?
At what point do you begin to watch for trickery on Mate Snow’s part? What is his dominant trait?
What trait of the Chinaman is exploited? Is it racial or individual?
Setting. Point out links that connect the locale of this story with that of “Down on their Knees.” Notice that the chief scene-settings are: the Chinaman’s scow, the church, the home of Sympathy Gibbs. Why is the drug-store residence of Minister Malden not used? Why not the transactions at Infield? Give two reasons, one with regard to unity, the other with regard to handling of plot.
Is there reason that the action might have strayed over too much time and place for the purpose of the short-story? Could a novelette be constructed out of the material included?
Details. By what early preparation does the death of Snow from poison become so logical as scarce to challenge question? (See page 442.)