"Bullet in the Brain" -Krista Smathers

The characterization of the protagonist, Anders, through his dialogue adds to the significance of the ironic ending.  Anders is concisely stated to be a harsh book critic, and it only takes this one line and his sarcastic dialogue to demonstrate to readers that he is someone who lives his life without taking into account the feelings of others around him.  The tone of his words lead readers to understand his personality, and in doing so make the ending more ironic.  When Anders is shot, it is not a surprise because of his earlier actions towards the woman in front of him.  However, it is surprising when the narrator tells readers that Anders experienced the cliche of having his life flash before his eyes.  There is a large amount of irony in the story: Anders hates cliches but experiences a beautiful one in his last moments, and in a more specific literary instance, when the narrator states,"But for now Anders can still make time."  Readers know that Anders has been shot shortly before this statement and really has no time at all, yet in his own mental world this memory will last forever.