Analysis

In this section of the study guide, we guide you through the main analytical points of the short story “To Feed the Night” by Philip Hensher. Here is a brief outline of our analysis:

First, we look at the structure of the story. In this case, we distinguish three main parts of the story: beginning, middle, and ending. Along these main parts, the author follows a traditional plot line. We also discuss the title of the story, with its initially confusing and hidden meaning.

As a major part of our analysis, we focus on the traits of the main characters in the story and the role the characters play in each other’s decisions. We outline the outer and inner characteristics of the husband and wife, as well as those of Mr Bell. Some of the characters’ traits highlighted here are pride, greediness, and suggestibility, united by a drive towards materialism.

We also consider the setting of the short story. As in most of the cases, the story contains hints of its time, physical, and social setting. Here, the most important aspect is the social one: an unhappy couple, constantly in search for a new house to fill their lives and growing unsatisfied by it soon.

The contemporary and material oriented setting, along with the characters, are portrayed by an objective narrator. By reading this analysis, you will get familiar with the elements that point to the narrator in the story and the husband’s point of view in rendering the events.

Finally, we discuss the language and symbols in the story. The easy-to-read text is decorated and given meaning with the help of imagery, similes, and repetition. Through imagery and similes, we get a glimpse into the characters’ world and their urgent need for more and more space. However, by using repetition, the author makes us aware of the contrast between the characters' wealth and their desire to own bigger properties. Furthermore, we help you understand the symbolism behind the couple’s friends, Mr Bell, and the houses in the story. This helps us greatly to understand the themes and message of the story, which we explore further in the last section of this study guide.