56 pages • 1 hour read
Tobias WolffHunters in the Snow
Tobias WolffFiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1981A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Story Analysis
Analysis: “Hunters in the Snow”
“Hunters in the Snow” is narrated from a third-person limited perspective. Tub is the main point-of-view character; however, the reader doesn’t hear any of the characters’ internal monologues or feelings. Dialogue is the primary characterization and exposition tool. Wolff uses a literary technique in this short story known as “Dirty Realism.” While Realism focuses on using simple language with realistic plots, characters, and settings, Dirty Realism uses those same elements but focuses on the darker side of contemporary life and those of lower socioeconomic status. Works of Dirty Realism often use dark irony and follow characters who get into trouble.
The main themes in “Hunters in the Snow” include the impact of toxic dynamics in friendships, neglect because of narcissism, and the relationship between man and nature. The title symbolizes the bond between Tub, Kenny, and Frank, which is rooted in violence and cruelty. This cruelty is shown in the very first sentence: “Tub had been waiting for an hour in the falling snow” (20). This sentence serves two main purposes: It characterizes Tub’s friends, Kenny and Frank, as inconsiderate, and it establishes that the Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
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