In the story, the tones of disappointment and failure are used to depict Paret's struggle as a club fighter who must accept the new reality he is no longer champion. Despite the public's admiration of Paret, Griffith, the new challenger, has become the new champion, leaving Paret to feel as though, his life itself, has been taken away from him. As he slowly wilts away, regretting his unpredictable defeat, he says that he did not wish to be dethroned at that moment of his life. The reader's eyes are opened to a struggle of survival between the fittest, in which the outcome is not always the most admiral or well-received.
             The author's diction augments the humiliation and vehement attack of a man's reputation, by firstly building up Paret to a grand character, to setting him up by a final let down, intoxicated by shame. "Paret began to wilt," as Griffith delivered several blows to Paret, who for an idolized champion, "took much to long to turn back around." Paret was vacillating, as if he could feel the Earth moving, and the reader can sense the weakness manifesting within in him. The reader can feel their heart drop as Paret continues to take his punishment, almost complying to Griffith's wishes of defeating him, while the reader cheers on Paret. However, "it must have inspired a particular shame, " with the actual defeat of Paret, as Griffith whipped Paret "like a piston rod." Paret tries to break away but becomes trapped in a corn, defenseless, almost handicapped juxtaposed to Griffith. Griffith's unrelenting power and force adds to the reader's disgust of such a character. However, in the same boat, he is honorable for his actions of not quitting and giving up. Although all wish for the underdog Paret to magically be empowered with omnipotent strength, the reality sets in that life goes on, and the veracity of the statement "anyone can be beaten, o...