The Destructors by Graham Greene

“The Destructors” By Graham
Greene
Purpose of the Short Story: To teach the reader about the destructive element
present in human nature.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is quite dark and has a very pessimistic outlook of the
World. The fact that the neighborhood has been demolished by bombs in the Second
World War only adds to the negative, violent mood.
Characterization:
• Protagonist: T/Trevor: He is a round character because we learn quite a
bit about his personality. He is also a static character because he does not
change throughout the story.
• Antagonist: The House: Although it is not a person, the house is the force
that opposes T. Without the house that was left standing after the
bombing, there would be no plot.
• Blackie: He is a flat character because we do not know much about him at
all. He is also a static character because throughout the story, he remains
hesitant about the gangs plot to destruct the house. He does not ever voice
his concerns.
• Old Misery/Mr. Thomas: He is a stock character because he is the typical
“old man” who lives for peace and the preservation of beauty.
Foreshadowing: As we are aware that the story is about post WWII, and after
London was bombed by Hitler, the reader gets a sense that nothing is left standing.
Therefore, it is safe to assume that the London Bombing foreshadows that Mr. Thomas’s
house will also be destroyed.
Plot:
• Exposition: The reader is introduced to Trevor, or T, and his plan to destroy Mr.
Thomas’s 200 year old home that survived The Blitz. It is learned that Blackie is
the gang leader and that he accepts T’s plan, which will be carried out when Mr.
Thomas is away. The setting is revealed as it is set in London, post WWII and the
above characters, along with the rest of the gang, are briefly introduced.
• Complication: This occurs when T unveils his plan to the full extent. He plans to
systematically destroy the house from the inside out as to make sure that none of
the remains, including the frame or the objects inside, can be used again. He says
that he will destroy it simple because it is beautiful.
• Climax: When the boys are mercilessly working away and destroying the house
from the inside, it is clear that the story has reached its climax as the ending is
now inevitable. Once the reader finds out how hard the gang is working, it is
probable that the house will be destroyed completely.
• Denouement: Mr. Thomas returns home early and he is locked in his own
outhouse by the gang while they go on with destroying his home. However, T’s
internal conflict is never settled as he does not change.
Point of View:
• Indirect Presentation: We do not get a direct analysis of any characters, such as
Blackie, nor does someone else in the story tell us about Blackie or other
characters. We are left to gain information about character from the story itself.
Limited Omniscient: Graham Greene tells the story in third person but in the perspective
of T. We do not gain any knowledge of any other characters, such as Blackie
Conflict: Trevor versus himself As Trevor, or T, words long and hard to

systematically destroy every part of the house, he is not committing casual vandalism.
T’s destruction of the house has to do with how he has never experienced love or hate in
his life. He sees them both as equal, “All this hate and love … 'it's soft, it's hooey. There's
only things, Blackie.” Therefore, his internal conflict of never having felt love drives him
to destroy one of the only houses standing after The Blitz.
Setting: The setting of this short story is essential to the plot development. It is set in
London in the mid-1950’s, in the exact area in which Hitler bombed millions of homes
during WWII. The setting connects directly to Hitler, linking the pair to senseless
destruction.
Tone: This story has a serious tone which makes the reader think about the harsh
realities of war on all people.
Suspense: The suspense of this story is driven by the curiosity of the motivation of T
to destroy the only standing house for miles. It seems to be a random idea to destroy the
house to the reader, but it is more than that to T. He sees beauty and value in the house
and believes that should be destructed.
Theme: Destruction is senseless. For example, the boys burn the money which they
could have used for their own benefit however, they demonstrate the story’s theme with
such an action.
Imagery: As this story is set in post WWII, following Hitler’s bombing of London, the
images that are left with the reader are a city left in shambles, grey skies, and a gloomy
atmosphere. The imagery in general is very dark.
Irony: The irony in “The Destructors” is the opposite of what we expect. We see
destruction as a way of life for the Wormsley gang and we gain a sense that this level of
destruction must have happened for a reason. However, it is the opposite of what we
expect as we learn that destruction is senseless (which is the theme).
Parable: The moral, or lesson, in “The Destructors,” is that destruction is senseless

because destruction takes away where as creation builds.
Symbol: The house is a symbol of a beacon of hope during dark times. This is one of
the few, if only, fully intact houses following the Blitz. T decides to mercilessly destroy
this beacon of hope as perhaps he does not have any positive motivations in his own life
and he wishes the same for everybody else.

The Destructors by Graham Greene

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Destructors by Graham Greene

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Destructors by Graham Greene

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

“The Destructors” By Graham

Conflict: Trevor versus himself As Trevor, or T, words long and hard to

Parable: The moral, or lesson, in “The Destructors,” is that destruction is senseless

You might also like