Structure

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Beginning

The short story begins directly, hooking readers’ attention by suggesting the conflict in the story is caused by a brutal death: “The doctor had closed up the ugly hole in Flip’s skull so that the widow and her brothers (…)  could come and stand for a minute and look down on the hard-stony face of the master of Kroon…” (p. 9, ll. 1-7).

The mention of the “Kroon” introduces readers to the setting of the story, as the Dutch word refers to a farm in Sou…

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Middle

The rising action develops the plot through tension points, foreshadowing elements, and backstories.

For example, a foreshadowing element suggests that Enoch is going to die: “Someone must pay for so terrible a crime, and if not the one who did it, then who better than the one who could not grieve.” (p. 10, ll. 30-32).

The story then offers a backstory to further support this hint, as we find out that the master’s son did not seem to believe Enoch’s condolences.

The backstory about one of the detectives on the case being short-tempered also hints that he is a threat to Enoch: “…could never be sure whether Robbertse was mad or only pretending to be, but that it didn’t really matter, because whoever it was, it was dangerous.” (p. 11, ll. 12-15). The end of the story confirms that the detective most likely…

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Ending

In the falling action, Sara returns home, disappointed and realising she cannot bring her husband back nor fight the authorities: “Sara Maarman got back to her house as the sun was sinking over the hills of Kroon…” (p. 24, ll. 6).

Sara is asked to leave her house by the young master, as a new head-shepherd needs to be hired. Sara has to leave to join her son in Cape Town: “…three days is…