SOURCE: "Contrast as Device in Wolfe's 'The Child by Tiger'," in The Thomas Wolfe Review, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring, 1983, pp. 8-11.

In the following essay, Hall probes Wolfe's use of the literary device of contrast to highlight his theme of "the dual nature of man " in "The Child by Tiger, " a story later incorporated into his novel The Web and the Rock.

It has been suggested by more than a few critics that Wolfe lacked the disciplined control of literary devices needed to write a tight and effective story. The contention is made, in fact, by Wolfe fans and critics alike, that it is the power of his language more than anything else that carries the brilliance of Wolfe.

But Wolfe was not unaware of literary device. What is more, he used it extremely well. To point this out it is expedient to lift the segment "The Child by...