... intentions." For a moment neither the snake nor the man move, each aware of the tenseness this chance meeting is creating. The man and snake have come to a crossroads, and due to this unfortunate timing each has a difficult choice to make. The man must decide whether to leave the snake be, or ... The writer implies empathy for the man and snake through details about the man. These details mainly show the man's reluctance to kill, mainly suggesting sympathy for the man. After coming upon the snake, the man's "first instinct was to let him go his way" and he would continue his walk. But ......

• Word Count: 1068
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... the man evoke compassion in the reader. At first the man is reluctant about attacking the snake. The snake takes the man by surprise and the man is abruptly "stopped short." The man is clearly not expecting to be in the presence of a potential life-threatening rattle snake. ... of his actions, which evoke compassion on the reader. The snake is a calm, yet fierce animal as he feels "no necessity of getting out of anybody's path." It is very distressing to imagine such a fierce animal slain, by an over cautious trespasser on the snake's territory. In addition the snake does ... not start ...

• Word Count: 651
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School