The Last Rung on the Ladder

Larry is the narrator and protagonist of the story. The plot revolves around the tension between Larry’s childhood, when he lives a simple rural life with a loving family, and his life as an adult, when he is financially successful but has no close friends or family members. This character arc emphasizes the theme of Family Ties Versus Financial Success.

In the flashback, Larry is 10 years old and walks to his one-room school barefoot, with no bag to carry his books. Nevertheless, he is happy and has a close relationship with his sister and parents. He is selfless and caring, taking quick and decisive action to save Katrina’s life and showing great remorse for not doing a better job of protecting her.

Over time, his attention turns away from his family and increasingly toward his career. In the present day, he is a successful corporate lawyer, and he brags about the praise he receives for his work, his three assistants, and his expensive clothing. One of his clients describes him as a “hired gun,” a violent metaphor that points to his ruthlessness in his work but also foreshadows his role in the death of his sister.