Mr. Perez
AP Lit Period 2
19 September 2022
The Five Forty-Eight Thesis
The short story, “The Five Forty-Eight” by John Cheever, conveys the consequences of
ignorance through the use of third-person limited narration, visual imagery, and symbolism in
order to illustrate how Mr. Blake’s carelessness towards Miss Dent erupts into a life-threatening
event for the former. Although Mr. Blake seems to be nonchalant and devoid of regret at the
beginning of the story, Miss Dent’s threats cause Blake to reconsider his emotions and regrets as
he is faced with the possibility of death.