In the short story, The Destructors the author Graham Green uses many plot devices and characterization to show the how the steady downfall of the main character Trevor. Techniques like flashback, symbols and irony help characterizes Trevor as intimidating, but determined and knowledgeable, but rigid; the need to eliminate all remnants of the past drives Trevor beyond the point of reason. One of the plot devices and techniques Green uses in Trevor’s characterization is by using flashbacks. Trevor, when he first met the gang was very quiet and reserved. In the story it states, [Trevor] never wasted a word even to tell his name until that was required of him by the rules (Greene). The reader is clearly able to see how quiet Trevor was. Looking …show more content…
Trevor planned to destroy Old Misery’s house. It was implied as if the gang would do childish things in the house. When destruction started it began with childish stuff like destroying vases and china. As it progressed the destruction became worse and worse. The story states, “We’ve hardly started,” T. said. “Why, there’s all the floors left, and the stairs. We haven’t taken out a single window. You voted like the others. We are going to destroy this house. There won’t be anything left when we’ve finished(Greene). The irony is Trevor is a child and is thinking a lot bigger than a child would in terms of destruction. The reader thinks that Trevor might dirty the houses or break a few vases, but no. Trevor is planning complete annihilation of the house something that the reader wouldn’t expect. Finally, the last technique that Greene uses is symbolism. It is established in the story is that Old house that survived WWII. The story states, “One moment the house had stood there with such dignity between the bomb sites like a man in a top hat, (Greene). WWII took place before Trevor and his gang. Trevor believes that the house is part of the old world and since it’s the present it should be destroyed. As the saying goes out with old, in with the