Symbolism In The Interlopers

In the short story, “The Interlopers”, Ulrich Von Gradwitz is patrolling his strip of forest, looking for Georg Znaeym, “Assuredly there was a disturbing element in the forest, and Ulrich could guess the quarter from whence it came” (pg. 362, para. 2). Ulrich finds Georg, and both have intentions to harm each other, “If only on this wild night, in this dark, lone spot, he might come across Georg Znaeym, man to man, with none to witness – that was the wish that was uppermost in his thoughts. And as he stepped round the trunk of a huge beech tree he came face to face with the man he sought” (pg. 362, para. 3). Then, suddenly, a tree falls on the men, trapping them helplessly, “And before the moment of hesitation had given way to action a deed of nature’s own violence overwhelmed them both., ...Ulrich Von Gradwitz found himself stretched on the ground, one arm numb beneath him, and the other held almost as helplessly in a tight tangle of forked branches, while both legs were pinned beneath the fallen mass...at the other side…lay Georg Znaeym, alive and struggling, but obviously as helplessly pinioned down himself” (pg.

3-4). They decide that they should forget the feud and become friends, “Neighbor, if you will help me to bury the old quarrel I – I will ask you to be my friend., ...I never thought to have wanted to do other than hate you all my life, but I have changed my mind about things too, this last half hour. And you offered me your wine flask… Ulrich Von Gradwitz, I will be your friend” (pg. 365, para. 16 & 18. They decide that it would be best to call on their men for help, “… Ulrich broke silence. ‘let’s shout for help’, he said; ‘in this lull our voices may carry a little way. ’,…The two raised their voices in a prolonged hunting call. ‘Together again,’ said Ulrich a few minutes later, after listening in vain for an answering halloo.” (pg. 366. Para. 23 &,