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Inheritance Of Tools

Decent Essays

Grant Mumma
Professor Beavers
English 1302
7 September 2014

“The Inheritance of Tools” by Scott Russell Sanders begins by describing how the author and his father were both doing carpentry work when the latter passed away, one on a house in Oklahoma, and the other on a bedroom wall in the bedroom of his own home. The moment before he gets the news, Sanders hits his thumb with a hammer, an accident which he links to the death of his father. He goes on to tell how the values of the family are passed generation to generation just as the tools and carpentry skills are, values which include absolute perfection when performing and completing any task and also taking pride in one’s work. After thinking through the death of his father, Sanders proceeds to his toolbox and takes a look at all of his freshly sharpened and oiled knives and chisels, suggesting to the reader that he may want to commit suicide, but he realizes that killing himself will not solve any of the problems he has. Sanders knows that the only realistic …show more content…

Scott Russell Sanders uses a variety of very effective techniques, including imagery, characterization, and symbolism in “The Inheritance of Tools” to create a lasting impression on the reader and embed the point that Sanders inherited everything he knows, has, and does, physically, mentally, and ethically from his ancestors.
Sanders uses a great deal of imagery in “The Inheritance of Tools” to create a sense of immersion in his interaction with his father and grandfather and to give the reader an idea that the author’s inheritance does not just include the physical aspect, tools, but also a set of ethics and skills. The image that Sanders provides about the appearance of the hammer, “The head is scratched and

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