Human civilisation dangles on the brink of chaos, held in place by a thread so fragile it threatens to unravel in minor inconvenience. The aphorism that civilisation is merely two missed meals away from barbarism highlights the transient nature of society's decorum, and its susceptibility to chaos when balance is sought. This sentiment is echoed in the short stories “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov and Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard To Find,” where language techniques are masterfully employed to symbolise the precarious nature of civilisation and its potential for destruction. Through comprehensive analysis of symbolism, allusion, intertextuality, narrative structure, syntax, unreliable narration, metafiction and foreshadowing, the complex tapestry of literary elements establish these narratives and shed light on the multifaceted themes of moral decay, existential crisis and societal breakdown.
Within “The Bet,” Chekhov deftly explores the moral quandaries and philosophical dilemmas faced by individuals as they navigate the thin line between civility and barbarism. Symbolism emerges as a potent language technique throughout the story, with the banker and lawyer…show more content… O’Connor engages in innovative storytelling techniques that subvert conventional literary conventions, and challenge readers’ expectations through her unique narrative structure. The nonlinear chronology of the story and its fragmented nature creates a sense of disorientation and unease, which mirrors the chaotic and unpredictable nature of human existence. Through this destabilisation of traditional norms and linear casualty, the audience is invited to confront inherent uncertainties and complexities of human behaviour, highlighting the fragility and impermanence of societal order when facing existential
