Game
Background--Barthelme was an artist and sculptor. This fact explains his meticulous attention to giving the reader the setting so realistically. Donald Barthelme " paints" the setting in the reader's mind. As Donald artistically puts together the story elements, his creative past shines through. While Barthelme's view that language defeated itself in that it was no longer effective in communicating, his creative ability to pull so many elements together is evident. The shortcomings of language are overcome by the graphic and bazaar writing style. Art through prose defeats the failures of communicating verbally. In addition, Barthelme's past shows fervidly here, particularly influenced by the communist threat of nuclear war.Title-- This title could signify the "game" in which the U.S. played during the years America fought communism. The jacks represent individual countries snatched by the "players" who are countries in effort to impart their governing type. The prevailing struggle of communism in the world stage is the game in which all countries played. Plot/Conflict-- The first-person narrator and Shotwell are locked in an "underground facility for an indefinite amount of time." They are to "s
"Shotwell in black trunks with the Beretta strapped to his right calf" represents Russia no longer hiding their militaristic capabilities or the fact that it is trying to bring the whole world to communism. This is represented by Shotwell straddling the console and trying to access both locks. 9. Characterization-- Repetition develops characterization through thought process. Barthelme shows how nutty the narrator is directly by using repetition and first person perspective. The deranged thought process is the product of one hundred thirty three confined days. Through explaining furtive actions Barthelme expounds on Shotwell's character and shady motives. Barthelme conveys the goals of both through actions of negotiation, or even picking locks. Reading a certain book, stealing glances, laughing to oneself in the latrine, or writing on the wall provides differing insight of the characters. "Quid pro quo" -something for something, relates to Shotwell's book. This could be portraying attempts to bring about a treaty.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Donald Barthelme, Russia Jacks-, Characterization-- Repetition, Tone-- Barthelme, Marketing- Shotwell, Russia Repetition--, Imagery-- Shotwell, Russia America, Marketing Watching, Theme-- Human, human behavior, communism democracy, writing wall, nuclear capability, trying bring, shotwell plays, hundred thirty, bird flies, watching console,
Approximate Word count = 1240
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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