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Foreshadowing
Genre
Explanation and Analysis:
“The Interlopers” is a thriller that manages to satirize certain elements of human nature. It uses a combination of high suspense and exaggeration to reflect on how humans yearn for power, dominance, and ownership, ultimately exposing these impulses to potential criticism. Throughout the story, conflict escalates because of human greed and the desire for power. In one example, the extent of the main character’s bloodlust is laid out in plain terms:
But the game for whose presence he kept so keen an outlook was none that figured in the sportsman’s calendar as lawful and proper for the chase; Ulrich von Gradwitz patrolled the dark forest in quest of a human enemy.
In this section, it is made clear that Ulrich intends to kill his enemy on sight. The potential for extreme violence propels the story forward, creating the atmosphere of a thriller. Saki is explicit about the human desire and impulse toward violence, and this gives way to a broader criticism of human nature's tendency to resort to aggression. The relevance of violence in Saki’s life—that he fought and died in World War I—may have fueled his desire to expose the corruptive force of power. He endeavors to make the men and their decisions seem foolish and does this by being very clear about their violent intentions. Ulrich and Georg are completely overtaken by their desire to kill each other, and the extent of their propulsion toward violence (which borders on the ridiculous) makes "The Interlopers" a good example of a satirical thriller.
Related Themes:
