The mark of any great writer is the ability to convey the experiences of the main character and the

impact they had on the character. In Carman McCarthys Novel The Crossing, McCarthy uses literary techniques such as similes, metaphors, symbolism and personification to realistically portray the grief a dramatic and traumatic experience instills in the main character. Throughout the passage, McCarthy illustrates the protagonists grief and demonstrates that he loved the wolf as a dear companion, even though wolves are usually regarded as savage animals. The opening paragraph sets up the mood and implants a sense of loss and despondency. It is not known what has happened to the protagonist but McCarthy starts the passage with by the time" to give the reader a sense of urgency. The protagonist is running away from somewhere, and clearly something terrible has happened. His use of mood and setting continues throughout the passage, as McCarthy describes the night and different sounds that the protagonist hears during the night. He describes calling coyotes" and dark shapes of the rimlands which describe the melancholy feelings of loss and grief that are being felt by the protagonist. It is a haunting, distressing image that leaves a lasting feeling of loss. When the protagonist wakes up from his sleep, the fire had died to a few low flame seething over the coals. This description further propagates the protagonists grief at the loss of his beloved companion. McCarthy's use of diction strongly implies that the experience the main character had was highly impactful and traumatic. McCarthy uses depressing, negative words that can be associated with death such as dark, cries, seeing, burning, fear and stiff. This use of language gives the reader the downhearted emotions that the main character feels and conveys the impact of the experience on the protagonist. McCarthy also uses literary devices such as similes and metaphors to express the main character's depressive emotions and mood. The coyotes were" calling from the dark shapes" giving an ominous description of the environment while also displaying the protagonists inner feelings of darkness. McCarthy uses a simile when he describes the firelight, saying that the firelight is like a burning scrim. . . where celebrants of some sacred passion had been carried off by rival sects or . . . fled into the night at the fear of the own doing. This implies the fear and loneliness that the protagonist is feeling, and also insinuates that he may be regretting some of the actions that has he taken. Symbolism is used to both describe his grief and his love for the wolf. McCarthy conveys the sentimental nature of the main character when he describes the main character imagining the wolf " running in the mountains", and his action of holding the dead wolf as a sentimental gesture of trying to" holds what cannot be held". This shows that he loved the wolf, that he wanted to hold it close and give it warmth from his body. The protagonist performs actions throughout the passage that show the deep love that he held for the wolf, even though wolves are usually regarded as savage, violent creatures. He cradles the wolf in his arms, showing that he loved the Wolf and cared for it greatly. Even though it is dead he" touched her fur", showing his affection for the deceased Wolf. When he is describing the wolf in his dream, he says that where she ran the cries of the coyotes clapped shut as if a door had closed upon them and all

was fear and marvel", showing that the wolf was to be both feared and respected. McCarthy uses a simile to describe the Wolf saying that it was "once terrible and of a great beauty, like flowers that feed on flesh. This shows that the protagonist loved the wolf, and that while wolves are violent, they are also beautiful and elegant. Throughout the passage McCarthy uses literary devices and descriptive language to convey the grief the protagonist experiences due a dramatic experience. McCarthy clearly demonstrates protagonist's sorrow, his pain in the loss of the Wolf's life, and the love he held for the Wolf. It is clear to the reader that this experience was truly disturbing and traumatic for the protagonist and throughout his writing McCarthy has conveyed and connected the experiences of the protagonists to the reader, showing what a truly sad event the death of this Wolf was.