Stephen Henderson

TA131 Amy Borden

10/15/13
1. Story events in Six Shooter that are directly presented begin with the doctor telling
Donnelly that his wife has just died. The doctor also mentions the two cot deaths and the
murdered mother. This then sets up the scenes that we see on the train with the young
man and the grieving couple. Some story events that must be inferred, however, are the
reasons why the different characters are on the train. Most of the events in the plot are all
direct story events as well. The only things we arent shown directly are the actual deaths,
until the suicide and then eventual death of the young man.
2. The earliest story event we are given is the murder of the mother by her son. This sets us
up for the young mans character development. The doctors specificity in telling
Donnelly how the mother was murdered allows the audience to realize that the young
man is the murderer before Donnelly realizes it for himself. When Donnelly does
eventually make the connection, it is only because of obvious information given when the
police stop the train with guns drawn and aimed. The climax of the film comes here as an
effect of Donnelly connecting with the young man and going through a series of
emotions, and the audience feels it solely by the look on Donnellys face when he sees
the shootout happen.
3. The only chronological information that is given about the story events is the fact that
they all occurred the night before we see Donnelly at the hospital. In truth, it is the fact
that the two cot deaths and the murder were reported the previous night. It is entirely
possible more or less time passed between the murder of the mother and Donnellys wife
dying than one night. This gives the young man an open window of time to have had
before meeting Donnelly on the train. We understand throughout most of the movie that
the young man is simply going to Dublin. When we learn that he is the murderer, we
dont think about how long hes been on the run. However, the policeman does somewhat
recognize him on the train, but not for sure until its too late.
4. Yes, this film is very good in the sense of closure and pattern circles. The only story that
could be said to be left somewhat open is that of the husband-turned-widower. We know
that he was already grieving over the death of his son, and with the death of his wife, we
see that he is in absolute misery. But we dont find out what happens to him ultimately.
The pattern of deaths is closed out in the conclusion when the young man dies, and then
later when Donnelly attempts suicide. The concept of Donnellys wife and her death is
brought back into play when he kills the rabbit and then continues to attempt his own
suicide.
5. Donnelly is the only character that directly receives story information via narration. By
restricting all of the narration towards Donnelly, the film has us always focus on what is
affecting him and what his emotions are. There isnt too much exploration of the
characters mental states, however there does seem to be a lot of story depth just from the
emotions that the characters show.
6. The film follows a basic A-B-C form, going from the hospital, to the train, finally to the
conclusion in Donnellys home. However, there is the overlying idea of death that makes
us feel that the classical Hollywood conventions are being toyed with. By making death
seem so present at all points, and also by having the young man make death out to be
almost humorous at most points, the audience cant feel comfortable with the idea that
conventions are being followed to a T. But the basic conventions of classic Hollywood
cinema are indeed in place.