Perspectives

Literary period

The short story “The Red Line” is part of the literary movement we call postmodernism. Postmodernist works can be recognised through themes, context, and narrative techniques. In “The Red Line”, we notice that Charles Higson explores themes like distorted reality and alienation. These themes are frequently encountered in postmodernist works.

In terms of narrative techniques, “The Red Line” focuses on the three characters’ distorted perception of the world and their alienation from each other. It also employs irony and uses a mixed perspective through a third-person viewpoint which gives readers access to the characters’ inner monologue. In “The Red Line”, we also notice the frequent use of symbols which reflect the characters’ state of mind and convey the deeper meanings of the story. These narrative techniques are often...