Language

Style of language

The style of language in the short story “The Splinter” by Ron Carlson is semi-formal in the narrative and informal in direct speech, which is rather normal for short stories. For instance, the description of the setting sometimes includes more complex and descriptive words which set the mood of the story: “We were camping at the edge of the magnificent trees on a sandy shelf overlooking some tributary of the Virgin River as it cut through the big sandstone boulders and the leafy valley.” (ll. 37-39). 

When direct speech is used, the tone is rather informal, using slang and swearwords:

…Rick cried out as Damon said, ‘Oh shit.’
‘What?’ I said.
‘When did you get the splinter?’ Damon asked. (ll. 85-87)

In this example, the choice of words reveals that Damon does not know how to talk to a child. It also r...