The Thing That Grows In The Gasoline Tank Analysis

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The short story "The Thing That Grows in the Gasoline Tank" is a contemporary psychological thriller written by Brian Brett. Stranded on an Indian reserve, a white government agent has no transportation when his car stops running. Although a minority, the government agent acts as a majority when an old native man offers to fix his car. As the events unravel and the agent's car lies in pieces, he loses his composure and realizes he has no control over the situation. "The Thing That Grows in the Gasoline Tank" sends a powerful message by relating to the readers stereotypical, prejudice and racist views. Brett effectively uses literary devices to express that humans have no tolerance for other cultures. Brett's use of descriptive narration creates an uncomfortable setting for the government agent. Taking place present day, the government agent is on a reserve in the middle of nowhere. The only buildings are old and decaying. With no…show more content…
"The Thing That Grows in the Gasoline Tank" expresses that the government agent is out of his realm as he doesn't consider this abnormality to be possible. The agent represents bureaucracy, formality and paperwork. The old man signifies the native population and the suffering of his people. He sees what needs to be done and acts accordingly. Once again the differences of the two cultures is seen as the native man embodies action, while the white man is about formal process. The conflict is used effectively as Brett creates an uncomfortable situation and leave the reader searching for a resolution. The initial struggle is the broken down car. This causes a turn in power and the government agent cannot demand the service he is accustomed to. Instead he becomes reliant on the old man. The repercussion is the main conflict, which is the clash of the two cultures. The result is that the white man's way is not always a
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