When the owner of the pig arrived he found a scrawny and bloodcovered white boychild standing on what was left of his property sawing at it with a knife and hauling on the skin and cursing. The dirty half flayed pig looked like something recovered from a shallow grave.
In "Suttree" by Cormac McCarthy, the scene unfolds with the arrival of a pig's owner who is met by a shocking sight. A pale, thin boy, covered in blood, is found aggressively working on the remains of a pig, indicating a violent and desperate situation. The boy's actions and appearance suggest a deep sense of neglect and survival, creating a jarring image of innocence lost.
The description of the pig, half-flayed and resembling something unearthed from a grave, evokes themes of decay and desperation. It symbolizes a harsh reality facing the characters in the story, highlighting their struggles and the overarching brutality of their environment. This moment serves as a powerful representation of the grim world McCarthy depicts in his novel.