"The Rattler" is a simple, yet powerful chronicle of a man's killing of a rattlesnake in a desert. Although the man narrates the story, it is told mainly from the perspective of the rattlesnake, as though the narrator is empathizing with the snake. ... He continuously refers to the snake not as "it" but as "he," personifying the snake and elevating it to a human status, demonstrating his appreciation for the life of the rattlesnake. ... The way in which the author lets the reader have admiration for the snake is affective; the reader can relate to with the respect the speaker has for t...

• Word Count: 792
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate