Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby

A significant motif in the story is the conspicuous absence of Colby from the group’s discussions about his fate. This absence emphasizes Colby’s dehumanization and the group’s disregard for his perspective or feelings. His lack of agency in the decision-making process underscores the themes of Dehumanization and the Erosion of Individuality. 

The motif of the rubber ball highlights the story’s overarching tone of absurdity. Initially, the rubber ball appears as a comical detail within the already farcical premise of friends planning a public hanging. Its presence amplifies the stark dissonance between the group’s lighthearted approach and the brutal reality of the execution they are organizing. This dissonance illuminates the theme of The Absurdity and Banality of Violence, as the execution is transformed into an entertaining spectacle devoid of its intended gravity. Moreover, the rubber ball also symbolizes the group’s exertion of control over Colby. By forcing him to jump from the ball, they strip Colby of his agency, pushing him toward a fate they decided, thereby reinforcing the theme of dehumanization. The rubber ball, commonly associated with playful activities and childhood, juxtaposes sharply against the act of execution, intensifying the absurdity and banality of their actions. This jarring contrast further underscores the group’s indifference and desensitization toward Colby’s life, illustrating the destructive consequences of unchecked groupthink and conformity.

The disagreement between the friends over using a tree or a gibbet for Colby’s hanging serves as a significant symbol in the story. The tree, a symbol of natural life and growth, is ironically proposed as the instrument of death, demonstrating the perversion of nature’s intent. It represents how societal norms, even when destructive, can become deeply rooted and part of the natural order. The gibbet, a man-made instrument for hanging, symbolizes the deliberate and constructed nature of the group’s punishment. Its use suggests a more premeditated, ceremonious act of punishment, reflecting society’s tendency to formalize and ritualize punitive actions. The disagreement between the friends, ultimately leading to the construction of a gibbet, reinforces the theme of the absurdity of societal conformity and highlights how deeply ingrained these norms can become, dictating even the minutiae of execution.