The narrator

Outer characterization

The narrator of the short story “The Splinter” by Ron Carlson is Rick’s father. His outer characterization reveals that he is a recently widowed man (ll. 24-25). He drives an “old Corona wagon” (l. 10), which suggests that he is not rich. He lives in Salt Lake (l. 12), but his parents are from Sioux Falls (l. 26) in South Dakota. 

Additionally, we also find out that he “can cook” (l. 74), which suggests that he has adapted to being a single parent. His job is to “manage one of the four software outlets” (l. 5) at his boss’s company. The narrator mentions at one point that his own father is dead (l. 97), which ought to make him able to relate to losing a parent. He also has “adequate camping gear” (l.  7) and he can fish (l. 7), pointing to his hobbies and skills.

Inner characterization

The narrator’s inner characterization is mostly constructed through his perspective towards and relationship with other characters. Fo...