There could be a victim, who is the target of the cruelty. And of course, the perpetrator, the one who inflicts the cruel act. There might also be bystanders, who could either be indifferent or try to stop the cruelty.
A 'a case of cruelty short story' would likely involve an incident where one character is cruel to another. It could explore themes like power imbalance, lack of empathy, or the consequences of such cruel behavior. Maybe it shows how the victim copes or the community's reaction to the cruelty.
The story mainly focuses on a cruel act towards an animal and how the protagonist, likely James Herriot himself, tries to address and rectify it. The themes might include compassion for animals and the importance of kindness.
Well, in 'A Case of Cruelty' by James Herriot, a major theme is the power dynamics. There's likely an imbalance of power that leads to the cruelty. It could be between humans and animals, or among different characters. Also, the theme of justice is there. When there is cruelty, there is a longing for justice to be served, whether it's through the law or through moral persuasion. And of course, there's the theme of compassion. The story may show how a lack of compassion can lead to cruel acts, and how the presence of it can start to heal the situation.
Well, for a cruelty short story to be compelling, it needs a strong emotional core. It should make the reader feel something - maybe sympathy or outrage. Also, the writing style has to be engaging, pulling you in from the start.
James Herriot could build tension through the pacing of the story. He may start with a slow introduction, gradually revealing the elements of cruelty. As the story progresses, the pace might pick up as the situation becomes more dire or as the characters start to take action against the cruelty. Also, the use of dialogue can create tension. If there are arguments or tense exchanges between characters regarding the cruel act, it heightens the overall sense of unease in the story.
One common form is neglect. Owners might not provide food, water, or proper shelter for their animals. Another is physical abuse, like hitting or kicking. In some stories, animals are used in illegal and cruel fighting rings, which is extremely inhumane.