STORIES OF OURSELVES

        The writer uses different language techniques to show the differences between the two characters by status and language. The author is able to do this by narrating Muni’s reactions to, what was at the time, the high-class people and their actions. For example, on the 4 page of the story, the narrator says “The other flicked the lighter open and offered a light to Muni. Muni felt so confused about how to act that he blew on it and put it out.” Here we can clearly see a difference between Muni and the American. This is due to the lack of understanding from Muni, since he has never been offered a light before, because the action to offer a light from a lighter is typically and commonly known to come from high-class people and countries. In addition, lighters at the time were very expensive, because of their design and look. Thus proving Muni’s inferiority to the American.

 

       The story “A Horse and Two Goats” is narrated in the third person. The narrator describes Kritam's destruction and Muni's decline unemotionally, without regret. The conversations between Muni and his wife, or Muni and the shopman, are told from Muni's perspective, but with calm attitude that accepts anything coming to him from fate. This is important so that the reader can understate the humor of the dialogue between Muni and the American. Narayan (The author) believes that the reader is able to interpret the irrational conversation without him having to explain through his narrator. When the two men leave the place where they met, each taking away something of value, neither has been accused by.

 

        The use of tone that the writer uses is very formal and is shown when the narrator speaking in third person, describes the thoughts of Muni and the American. The formal tone used shows Muni’s age. Due to the fact that Muni is old and speaks in an old yet formal fashion, which is how the story is narrated. The author uses long sentences to show the length of time that passes to create the effect of a boring day that continues on.