"The Destructors" 1 “The Destructors” p. 111 By Graham Greene ( ) ( )

"The Destructors" 2 Graham Greene English novelist, short story writer, playwright, journalist English novelist, short story writer, playwright, journalist Roman Catholic - wrote of God’s grace and mercy, adventure, and suspense Roman Catholic - wrote of God’s grace and mercy, adventure, and suspense Worked in WWII intelligence Worked in WWII intelligence Books have been made into films Books have been made into films

"The Destructors" 3 Conflict Person vs. person Person vs. person Person vs. self Person vs. self Person vs. environment Person vs. environment

"The Destructors" 4 Conflict Consider the way the story moves: Consider the way the story moves: ExpositionExposition ComplicationComplication ClimaxClimax DenouementDenouement

"The Destructors" 5 Physical Setting Man-made Man-made Hostile Hostile London, 9 years after WW II London, 9 years after WW II Bombed-out car park Bombed-out car park

"The Destructors" 6 Social Setting Blitzed world Blitzed world Destruction, aftermath of war Destruction, aftermath of war Gang members unconsciously taking revenge on a society that has betrayed them Gang members unconsciously taking revenge on a society that has betrayed them Class society Class society snob values money values aesthetic values Values are associated with the 200-year- old house built by Sir Christopher Wren Values are associated with the 200-year- old house built by Sir Christopher Wren

"The Destructors" 7 Characters Protagonists=gang members Protagonists=gang members appear to have opposite values of the class society they reject:appear to have opposite values of the class society they reject: work hard at destructionwork hard at destruction reject personal gainreject personal gain forget personal rivalriesforget personal rivalries maintain justice within gang frameworkmaintain justice within gang framework Antagonists=members of the upper class Antagonists=members of the upper class Opposite of all the above from the gang’s viewpointOpposite of all the above from the gang’s viewpoint

"The Destructors" 8 Title Title What clues does the title give to the author’s intent and emphasis?What clues does the title give to the author’s intent and emphasis? Omniscient point of view Omniscient point of view Find evidence for this.Find evidence for this. Why is this the most effective choice?Why is this the most effective choice?

"The Destructors" 9 Major Symbols House House symbolically identified with the old social order and its valuing ofsymbolically identified with the old social order and its valuing of money money beauty beauty courtesy courtesy love love Top Hat Top Hat Identified in two references as a symbol of high society in Blackie’s thoughts in the Lorry driver’s final reaction

"The Destructors" 10 “Destruction after all is a form of creation.” The gang has a flipped value system. The gang has a flipped value system. They no longer trust members of the political structure that brought the war, including their families They no longer trust members of the political structure that brought the war, including their families They value friendship, loyalty, acceptance, courage, hard work, leadership... but not outward vestiges of power, wealth, and rank. They value friendship, loyalty, acceptance, courage, hard work, leadership... but not outward vestiges of power, wealth, and rank.