Topic Sentence The setting of the desert and oasis in “Wine on the Desert” emphasize the theme that punishment eventually comes to those who hurt others. First Point First, the wine that eventually kills the evil- doer comes from an oasis. Example: When Durante destroys the vineyard’s water tanks, he believes he will escape, thinking that “the sheriff’s posse could get plenty of wine, of course, but without water a man could not hope to make the desert voyage.” Explanation: However, he suffers the very torture he wished on the sheriff when Tony fills his canteen with wine, and ironically, the oasis which initially saved him, kills him, punishing evil in the end. Point 2 Furthermore, as the story ends it rains in the desert and the reader can assume that this will help Tony survive even though Durante tried to kill him. Example: As soon as Durante dies, “out of the blind face of the sky the rain [begins] to fall,” unexpectedly and out of season. Explain: Although this miraculous desert rain is too late to save Durante, Tony, who is good and courageous, may very well survive which emphasizes how, in the long run, evil is punished and good survives. Point 3 Lastly, Durante the villain dies of thirst in the desert: a just punishment for the man who would condemn many to the same cruel fate. Example: When Durante has almost reached the mountains, he is already dying and he knows it because he is “walking around in circles until he [drops and dies].” Explain: He had almost gotten away with murder, but the indifferent cruelty of the desert kills him so he cannot do any more bad deeds. Concluding sentence: Ultimately, the contrast between the harsh desert and the life-giving oasis emphasizes that often good things come to good people, but not to those who seek to destroy and harm others.