They came three times for the old man. At first it was just the Sheriff and Gifford. They were one foot up the porch steps when he swung the door open and threw down on them and they could see the mule ears of the old shotgun laid back viciously along the locks. They turned and went back down the yard, not saying anything or even looking back, and the old man closed the door behind them.
In this scene from Cormac McCarthy's "The Orchard Keeper," two characters, the Sheriff and Gifford, approach an old man at his home. When they reach the porch, the old man surprises them by opening the door and aiming a shotgun at them. His defiant stance indicates his readiness to protect himself, as the hostile posture of the weapon suggests his unwillingness to be intimidated. The Sheriff and Gifford, upon seeing the threat, retreat without uttering a word, highlighting the power dynamics of the moment.
This encounter reveals the resilience of the old man and his refusal to submit to authority. By closing the door after them, he asserts control over his own space and maintains his dignity in a confrontational situation. The atmosphere is tense, and the scene reflects themes of power, fear, and defiance, which are prevalent in McCarthy's works. The old man's fierce protection of his home serves as a pivotal moment, setting the tone for the struggles to come.
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