Elements of Craft in Richard Ford’s Rock Springs Anonymous College

Known for his gritty and unvarnished portrayals of life in the American Midwest, author Richard Ford uses fiction to explore the ways that people react to loneliness, turmoil, and desperation as they struggle to move forward. These themes become most apparent in his short story Rock Springs, the titular piece from his first collection of short fiction. An example of Ford’s classic use of “dirty realism,” Rock Springs exemplifies the unidealized elements of life in America, many of which shine brighter due to specific elements of craft. Though the use of first-person point of view, unambiguous symbolism, and a distinct narrative style, Ford writes a story that draws on traditional structural techniques while also challenging many long-held conventions of fiction.

The story is narrated from the first-person perspective by Earl Middleton, the protagonist. Through Earl’s eyes, the audience also glimpses his traveling companions and family; his girlfriend Edna and her daughter Cheryl. Earl also has smaller encounters with other characters over the course of the story, such as the woman at the trailer park and her son, Terrel. All of the other characters, however, are defined by the ways that Earl sees them. It is clear that Earl...