Analysis
The analysis of the short story “Tony’s Story” by Leslie Marmon Silko shows that it follows a linear, chronological plot structure. The narrative is structured into three parts, each containing an encounter with the cop and an escalation of the conflict.
The main characters in the story are Tony and Leon. Tony’s extreme fear of the state cop and the impossibility of escaping him, leads him to perceive the cop as a supernatural creature.
The physical setting is an Indian reservation in New Mexico, United States of America. The time setting is in the 20th century, before 1969, when the story was published. The social setting explores racial issues.
The story is told from the point of view of a first-person narrator who is also the main character. As the story progresses, the perspective of the narrator shifts from reliable to unreliable.
The language is casual and conversational, using common words and phrases. The narrator uses metaphors and personification that describe his state of mind and highlight his anxiety.
You can read a more detailed analysis in the following pages.