The Pigman

“The truth and nothing but the truth, until this memorial epic is finished, So Help Us God!”

The prologue establishes several elements of the narrative. First, it states the purpose of the story will be not only to record the events of what happened but to create a memorial epic for this person who impacted the narrators’ lives. Second, it establishes that the narrative is a joint effort between Lorraine and John, and once the reader begins, they see them taking a turn narrating every other chapter. Finally, the prologue adds a propulsive narrative drive, as it hooks the reader, making them want to continue to find out what happened.

“Thirty-four scrawny, undernourished apples rolling up the aisles sound just like a herd of buffalo stampeding.”

The author employs figurative language to describe the sound of the apples rolling on the floor. Using a simile to compare the sound to a herd of buffalo adds a sensory element to the passage, making the reader feel like they are in the room. The prank creates a loud sound that would have been alarming to the substitute teacher and hilarious to the students in the class.

“[…] that doesn’t stop her from wearing these tight skirts which make her nylon stockings rub together when she walks so she makes this scraaaaaaatchy sound.”

John sees his teachers as old-fashioned, and the librarian is no exception as she wears stockings, or pantyhose, that make a funny sound when she walks.