“Game” Mr. Dent

Donald Barthelme Postmodernist who is regarded as one of the most versatile American stylists Felt modern language no longer effectively communicated feelings Made art out of language; played with words and fragments

Donald Barthelme cont’d. Plots are unconventional—episodic, absurd, slapstick; characters are types rather than developed individuals Born in Philadelphia; raised and educated in Texas Reporter; museum director; editor; professor; teacher

Journal Entry Discuss an extremely difficult decision that you have faced in your life. What was your behavior leading up to the decision? How did the stress feel? What did you decide? And, how did you feel once you went through with it?

Prior Knowledge The two-man rule is a control mechanism designed to achieve a high level of security for especially critical material or operations. Under this rule all access and actions requires the presence of two authorized people at all times.

Prior Knowledge cont’d. Jacks is a playground game. Oversight: an unintentional failure. Overture: a proposal Stolid: showing little emotion

Narrator first person point of view anonymous repeats phrases reveals crazy thoughts and motives

Characters Narrator—he is going crazy; works in a nuclear weapon control center Shotwell—coworker; doesn’t like to share

Multiple Choice Question Which of the following is NOT evidence that suggests that Shotwell and the narrator are crazy? – A. repetition of words and phrases – B. narrator’s obsession with jacks – C. both men’s paranoia about the weapon – D. the narrator’s random outbursts about Shotwell

Short Answer Questions What phrases are often repeated by the narrator? How does this contribute to his characterization? How does the title “Game” have both literal and figurative meanings?

EXPOSITION – Shotwell is playing jacks and the narrator wants to play with him. COMPLICATION – Two mean have been in the control center for 133 days without any relief RISING ACTION – Shotwell has a.25 caliber Beretta gun strapped to his leg and the narrator has a.38 gun concealed in his case. They could kill each other at any time. Plot

Plot cont’d. CLIMAX – Anti-climactic: Like many post-modern stories, “Game” doesn’t have a climax. The tension continues to build but there is no turning point to show that Shotwell and the narrator could never be relieved. RESOLUTION – In a twist, Shotwell and the narrator take turns cradling and rocking each to sleep. The narrator is considering turning his key, which would launch a nuclear missile, just so he can play jacks with Shotwell.

Conflict Man vs. Man – Shotwell won’t play jacks with the narrator – Both men assume the other will kill him if he takes his eye off him Man vs. Himself – Both men are driving themselves insane – The narrator writes descriptions on the wall with an engagement ring – The narrator is tempted to turn his key that will launch a nuclear weapon

Themes Too much isolation and pressure can cause a man to go crazy. Something is wrong with society when two crazy men are responsible for the fate of the world = weapons are too powerful and can’t be trusted in the hands of people.

Symbols Shotwell’s jacks – narrator’s desire to interact with Shotwell; man’s desire for companionship Narrator’s descriptions – narrator writes extremely long descriptions of objects with a diamond, engagement ring; represent his attempt to stay sane and connected to the outside world

Irony SITUATIONAL IRONY – country can have control over any other country because of weapon but can’t control two men who turn the keys – Men cuddle and rock each other VERBAL IRONY – “The bird flies” is actually launching a weapon of mass destruction; euphemism so as to not have to face the reality of this horrible weapon

Answers #1: D, the narrator never lashes out at Shotwell. He keeps his frustration hidden. #2: “Owing to an oversight”; “I am not well”; “Shotwell is not himself” / The narrator sounds like a madman. It shows he is slowly going crazy.

Answers cont’d. #3: Game refers to the game of jacks that Shotwell plays. It could refer to the mind games that the men are playing with each other. Figuratively, it could be ironic that a nuclear holocaust could be started by two isolated, crazy men. Really, it’s not a game at all but the two men think it is.