Posted by Louis Leung on June 04, 1999 at 23:16:44:
The last scene is the climax of the story as the black horse represents death. Jeff is ailing with an incurable disease that has deteriorated his body. Jeff gets on the horse as his circle of life is complete and he is ready to die. Tova knows that Jeff is going to die and she cares for him very much but does not show it. Tova is reluctant to realize that her son is dying. Throughout the story, I got a sense that she loves Jeff very much. Maybe it is her way to hide her pain and fear that she feels because she is going to lose her son. When a woman asks her if that was her boy, she is reluctant to tell the stranger the whole story knowing that she will only receive sympathy. Jeff knows that the ride has to end and this may be symbolic to his short life. This story is finely written by the author and the use of symbolism as a technique in writing. This story is very descriptive as well as touching.