1. Protagonist

The hero in the story can be defined as being Mrs. Croom. The author paints her positive traits which are unlike other characters.  In one of the scenes, the author portrays her as being on the roof trying to make a hole to the attic. The setting paints her as being courageous and determined to unearth the secret of her husband. It is interesting to note that she had not accesses the attic for more than 12 years as it had remained locked by her husband. After breaking the attic, she finds bodies which she easily identifies through some photographs. She notes that one of the corpses is from one of the women who had been reported missing(Meyer& Michael, 517). Her actions make the audiences to quickly identify and sympathize with her as she appears to uphold some morals.

2. Antagonist

The antagonist in the story is Rancher Croom. Based on the presentation and description made by the author,  he can be defined as being a violent and cruel(Meyer& Michael, 517). The argument rests on the fact that it becomes evident that he has a strained relationship with her wife. Additionally, it also becomes evident that she had killed women and locked them in the attic. Mrs. Croom explains that she knows the look of her husband’s paramours. The illicit relationship indicates that he is a cruel man and lacks commitment towards his family. After having an affair with the paramours, he proceeds to kill them.

3. Conflict

There appear to be a conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist. While the two are married, it is evident that they have a strained relationship which is illustrated by the locking of the attic and illicit relationships. Mrs. Croom is driven by the desire to unearth the secret life of his husband. While his husband I away, she proceeds to the rooftop and makes a hole on the rooftop. As she wipes the flies and the sweat, the author notes that she can clearly identify her husband’s paramours(Meyer& Michael, 517). While she appears to be guided by a set of moral principles, the case does not apply to her husband. The rancher is further painted as being unfriendly through reference to the filthy hat and the strange beers that he made. These descriptions make the audiences to identify the wife as the hero while the rancher is viewed as the villain.

4. Structure

At the beginning of the story, the author introduces the readers to the uncouth nature of the protagonist. There is a reference to the stranger beer, filthy hat and unkempt look. The description has the effect of ridiculing the character.

The rising action is attained by the presentation of Mrs. Croom as being on the rooftop. The scenario intrigues the mind of the readers to determine what prompted her to create a hole on the rooftop. While the initial thought was that she was trying to run away, it later emerges that she was looking for secret information in the attic.

The climax of the story is attained when she finds the corpses of the illicit lovers. It is at this point that the readers get a clear picture of Mr. Croom’s actions. Rather than creating a feeling of relaxation, it leads to panic and anxiety. The argument rests on the fact that one learns that the rancher is a cold-hearted murder.

5. Setting

The setting of the story is crucial as it helps expand on the theme of conflict. The attic appeared to be secluded from other people and had been locked from twelve years. The setting where Mrs. Croom attempts to make a hole on the roof reveals the struggles she underwent in leaving with her husband.

Work cited

Meyer, Michael. “The Bedford introduction to literature.”Boston: Bedford/St (1999).

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