The story begins and ends with Iona and his horse. Comment on the significance of this to the plot of the story.
Answers
The story is a satire on how disengaged humans are that one has to find a true companion in an animal. Iona from the beginning of the story is portrayed with his horse. In the beginning, while Iona is struck with his loss and is melancholic, hand his horse stood unmoved. It appeared that they both shared similar grief. Both seemed unaware of their surroundings and of the heavy snow, the horse for being a slave animal and Iona due to his grief. The story narrates how Iona lashes his frustration by brandishing the horse unnecessarily, yet the horse is faithful to his master. Even by the end of the story, Iona is left unheard and his heavy heart knows no one to release his burden to. He finds solace in the company of his horse again. He goes up to him and gives him hay to munch. While he goes on speaking to the silent animal explaining how he lost his young son. He grieved, now that he is old and poor, to make things worse, he will be having trouble earning. The animal, not sure if understood what his master said, remained silent and heard it all peacefully proving its faithfulness to his master.
Answer:
The story revolves around Iona and his horse. It begins with them and ends with them as they are sole companions in solitude and suffering.
The plot offers a social commentary on the nature of human beings in the modern society where they disinterested in the affairs of others and their frustration in their loneliness causes them to vent it on animals, such as a horse. The horse only fulfills its duty regardless of its master's mood and offers a silent ear to his sufferings because he has been rejected by society. Both master and horse Appear to be parts of a whole as each is portrayed as neglectful and melancholic. His horse is his only companion by the end of the story.