C.D. : Instead, he offers the
euphemistic acknowledgment that Paret “began to wilt;” his life seemingly
seeping away even before the final round. C.M.: His “wilt[ing]” evokes an image of subtle
deterioration that almost softens the blow of a moment that marks the turning
point leading to his collapse. CD:
When it comes to the author’s word choice, this
euphemistic description of Paret’s final moments continues as Mailer describes
how he began to “pass away” finally slipping to the floor like a ship sinking
beneath the waves.
C.M.: Whether cushioning the
blow of Paret’s final moments for the reader or for himself, Mailer’s diction
allows the reader see the respect he had for the boxer. What the reader is given is not an objective
account of a tragic sporting event, but a description of the event with an
emotional agenda. C.S. The
author’s word choice leads the reader to mourn the loss of Paret and recognize
Mailer’s esteem for the former champion.
