Analysis Of The Short Story 'Visitors' by Brian Moon

The short story, Visitors, by Brian Moon, explores the moral issues associated with the legalisation of robbery. Many elements, known as narrative conventions, are intentionally inscribed into the text and these help the reader to ascertain the nature of the text’s themes. Style, characterisation and point of view are critical blocks with which the text’s theme is constructed.

The text makes effective application of third person, from the omniscient point of view of Mrs Morrison. The use of this technique gives us an insight into Mrs Morrison’s feelings and emotions - and reveals that however ‘commonplace’ and ‘normal’ the events may seem, they are still a cause of unrest and discomfort. As the unidentified van pulls into Mrs Morrison’s home, we are told that she feels her stomach tighten. This can be quite puzzling, as the van appears perfectly respectable and could easily be a delivery, tradesperson or even a visiting friend.

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Mrs Woods class Westlands Primary 1961

Yet we feel suspense at the approach of the van and its occupants as we have already observed Mrs Morrison’s reaction. Through our position from the mind of Mrs Morrison, we can further understand her and the time and place in which she lives, as well as appreciate why she reacts as she does.

The characterisation utilized questions all our accustomed stereotypical views of burglars, police and victims. We anticipate each of these groups of people to behave a certain way, and are perplexed at finding what we expect and what they truly are to be binary opposites. Mrs Morrison, as the ‘victim’ of a robbery, we might expect to express anger, fear or defiance. To the contrary, although she is uncomfortable, irritated and despondent, that is the full extent of her emotion, most of which is only discovered through the point of view employed. When the...