Death Theme Analysis

Ulrich’s rifle brings the potential for death into the story’s first sentence, and the threat of death lasts for the duration of the story. Initially, Ulrich and Georg think murdering the other would be victory. Yet, when given the brief chance to shoot the other, both men hesitate, showing that the potential to kill feels different, and perhaps more difficult, once it becomes real.

After a large tree falls on the men, and they both face the near, real possibility of death, Ulrich’s hatred for Georg “dies down.” The imminence of death changes Ulrich’s priorities. He decides that life is worth more than winning a property dispute. Georg agrees to become Ulrich’s friend, showing that the near-death experience has also reset his values. Ulrich and Georg begin to see rescuing the other from death as an opportunity for graciousness. They each hope that their respective hunting party will come, so that their men can save, instead of kill, the other.

However, although the relationship between the men has changed, it does not help either of them to move the tree off of the other. Wolves, instead of a rescue party, appear over the hill in response to Ulrich and Georg’s shared call to their men. Trapped beneath the tree, Ulrich and Georg will not be able to fend of the wolves. In the story’s opening the men believe that owning the land will give them power. Their near-death experience shows them it does not matter, but even this realization is not enough to prevent the approach of death. The story’s ending suggests that death will come no matter one’s status in or understanding of the world.