How Symbolism, Setting and Characterization Contribute to the Power of Essay

How Symbolism, Setting and Characterization Contribute to the Power of 'Coalinga, Half Way' - Essay Example It soon becomes apparent that is imagery is extended to his wife, 'her big eyes' seeming to relate to the cattle's eyes. The moaning of a single cow links with her gasp, the 'horrible thud of shock in her chest, the slaughtering of the animals, the killing of her hope. Further symbolic images imply guilt, dread and destruction as the man sees pieces of garbage: This man may perceive himself to be the criminal here, for what he is thinking and intends to do. The symbolic links with the animals and their fate are continued when he believes himself to be crying, just as 'the steers set up a long series of desperate bawling', then, like him drop off into silence again, as does the piercing shriek of the circling hawk. The hawk itself suggests a symbol of something circling for the kill, bringing destruction somewhere, as the man destroys his family. The words 'will you meet me halfway' signify much more than a drive or geographical point on a map, as does the statement, 'he knows he's gone way past halfway'. The imagery of himself as something 'deep inside a muscle' calls to mind the hypodermic needle of an addict, and sure enough, he is soon no longer himself, but 'some scared boy.' Words and voices, with particular reference to the telephone also play a large part in the action.