Q1. Summarize the plot of the story in a few sentences to identify the conflict between the main characters.
Ans1. “Winners Go First” , a short story penned by Trent Masiki reveals the complex conflict between the main characters in a beautiful manner. The story revolves around mainly three characters-Anthony, Torrie and Anthony’s father. Out of these three, only two characters play a pivotal role in unfolding the story in front of its readers. They come to a field to compete with each other in throwing rocks at bottles and cans. The conflict between the two brothers become evident when Anthony continuously commands Torrie to do some tasks like arranging and rearranging the cans and mocks at him for his poor performance. The narrator i.e Torrie also has some conflicts with his father who keep on comparing his qualities with Anthony. The fact becomes quite evident when the narrator recalls his father's words that he lacks a winning heart like his brother. Anthony not only wins the game but also make fun of his brother and insults him. At last, Kelvin comes and Anthony goes along with Anthony to some place out of that field. The narrator chooses to stay behind and watch them till they both disappear around the corner after crossing the field and the street.
Q2. What details does the writer give to describe the setting?
Ans 2. The writer has given some brief details to describe the setting. The writer describes the fields in a vivid manner by the lines” Half of the field is tall dry grass yellowed by the summer sun. The blackberry vines it hides prick your ankles.”. He also by his cleverly chosen words bring out the contrast of the setting by stating “The other half of the field is wooded with oaks and maples. That part isn’t very big” The reader immediately gets to know about the exact setting in which the narrator and Anthony are to play their game.
Q3. How does the author create dialogue that expresses each character's different character? Refer to an example or two.
Ans 3. The author uses explicit dialogues to bring out the characters of each person involved in the story. The narrator is more humble unlike his brother Anthony who feels proud on himself and makes fun of him whenever he fails in something. This become evident to the readers in the following lines “Torrie, you ought to give up. You ain’t gonna win this round either”. The narrator then answers back by saying “You ain’t God. You don’t know that.” He tries to be humble as well as confident while saying this to his brother as he believes that it is always good to be humble. He learns this fact from the books that he used to read about Shaolin fighters at the library.
Anthony is proud in his nature just like his father and this trait reflect in the line when the narrator says that “Anthony gives order like my father. He even walks like him”. The readers come to know that Anthony does not like kung fu and is self centric, when the narrator told us “He watches wrestlingBut he replaces “champions” with “champion” and each instance of “we are” with a boastful “I am” or “I will”.” This use of “I” mirrors the possessive temperament of character where he seems to be self-centric person.
Work cited
- Masiki, Trent. Winner Go First: A Collection of Short Stories. Texas: A & M University. 1996. Print.
