Identifying Meanings, Issues, and Themes:
Coming of age (becoming a man) is one of the major themes in this book. Schaefer carefully opts to use Bob Starrett to be the main narrator. This is because in the book, he wants Shane as well as the events to be seen through the eyes of a boy. He seeks to appreciate experience of having to know Shane through a learning experience that facilitates the development of Starrett. This concept of existing as a man will come in full circle in which Bob (as a boy) suddenly comes into terms with the fact that Shane is a type of man who wants to be changed as an individual due to this revelation (Schaefer, 2001). Bob is particularly lucky while growing up with several role models such as his father Joe and Shane who two amazing people are serving as vivid examples during his changes from into a man a boy. This is explained
The true meaning of being a man is also an issue of major concern in this book. In the book he writes “What a man knows isn’t important. It’s what he is that counts (Schaefer, 2001).” Shane and Joe have paramount regard to each other in a very high level as each of them thinks that the subsequent is a real man. Shane usually talks on the things that a man needs to do (including leaving immediately after killing another man). On a related point, he says to Marian that in the event that he is separated from her in the farm situation, he could not have made the man he is. Schaefer inundates the reader with a concept of real manhood in the entire book.
As a real man, Shane is the exemplification and sets standards by which he continues to act and through which he constantly conforms various aspects of his conduct (Schaefer, 2001). With respect to the deliberations in this book, the principal characters offer a conclusive definition of the real meaning of being a man which is having trust in others, being true to the word, fulfilling commitments, being loyal, acting according to basic chivalry, and not getting violent not unless there is totally no other way. The sole approach, which separates heroes from villains in the book, is the standards set by the real man standard. Fletcher is not a real man while Joe and Shane are.
Different Kinds of Danger and Fear are expressed as lead challenges facing the characters in the story. Here, the concept of danger appears in the initial chapters as Marian terms Shane as dangerous. However, he is dangerous even though to certain people and in several ways. He remains dangerous to people threatening his freedom and ideals. Otherwise, he is one of the least dangerous people imaginable to humankind including Joe (people exemplifying all that he believes in). The people fearing or disliking Shane is rather his adversaries who fear him both physically and for that which his beliefs represent (Schaefer, 2001).
In the book good and bad are simply observed through seeing people who are afraid of Shane and those who are not once the incremental intimidation of the enormous presence Shane wears off. Loyalty is a quality, which makes Shane and Joe real men. Here, Shane is always there for Joe, and vice versa which is a fact that they both acknowledge. They do not have any worry of being alone and about fending for their own. A comfortable assurance blanket binds them together.
References:
Schaefer J., (2001) Shane. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
