62 pages • 2 hours read
David BaldacciThe 6:20 Man
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Literary Devices
Setting
The setting of The 6:20 Man is an integral part of the novel and provides a backdrop that is as complex and multifaceted as its characters. The story unfolds in the high-stakes financial world of New York City, a place synonymous with ambition, power, and the relentless pursuit of success. This urban landscape is not just a physical location but a symbol of the cutthroat competition and corporate machinations central to the narrative. The early morning train—the 6:20—becomes a vessel for the city’s driven professionals, including the protagonist, Travis Devine. It’s here, in the liminal space between the quiet suburbs and the frenetic pulse of Wall Street, that the characters transition from their private selves to their public personas. The train ride, with its rhythm and routine, is emblematic of the characters’ daily grind and the cyclical nature of their ambition.
Within Wall Street, the novel zooms in on the microcosm of Cowl and Comely, a financial house that epitomizes the opulence and corruption of the industry. It’s a setting where glossy exteriors mask the murky ethics of trade and transaction. The description of the setting often contrasts the grandeur of the city’s skyline with the protagonist’s internal battles, underscoring the isolation and moral ambiguity that Devine faces in his quest for truth and redemption. The setting thus serves as a narrative device that reflects and amplifies the themes of ambition and integrity, challenging the characters to navigate a world where the line between right and wrong is often blurred by shadow and light.
Exposition
Exposition is a narrative technique where an author conveys background information necessary for understanding the story’s context. It is a common feature in mystery novels, serving to clarify and resolve plot elements for the reader. Exposition can manifest in various ways, including through a character’s soliloquy, dialogue, or even textual devices like letters. In the pivotal Chapter 82 of the novel, exposition is skillfully delivered through an exchange between Tapshaw and Devine. During their conversation, Tapshaw systematically addresses Devine’s probing inquiries, which in turn elucidates the storyline for the reader. She discloses her connection to Myers, her discovery of his profile on her dating site, and her motive for murdering Ewes, rooted in the termination of a pregnancy resulting from her brother Dennis’s donated sperm. Concurrently, Devine reads Ewes’s diary, which further exposes Tapshaw’s unstable condition following her brother’s demise. This dual-channel exposition not only advances the plot but also deepens the reader’s insight into the characters’ psyches.
Repetition
Repetition is a literary device that emphasizes particular details through the recurrent use of a word or phrase. For this technique to resonate with the audience, it must either occur in close succession, be used frequently, or be so distinctive that it captures the reader’s attention. An instance of this in The 6:20 Man is the use of “sweet cheeks,” a phrase repeated by Devine in reference to Stamos, underscoring the theme of gender roles and gender dynamics in the novel. This repetition not only draws attention but also imbues the phrase with deeper meaning or irony, depending on its placement within the narrative.
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By David Baldacci
