My Oedipal Complex” by Frank O’Connor
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. The last unnumbered
one requires a fully developed paragraph response.
1. How does O’Connor establish the story’s point of view? What details
does he use? What is the narrator’s persona (pe...
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. The last unnumbered
one requires a fully developed paragraph response.
1. How does O’Connor establish the story’s point of view? What details
does he use? What is the narrator’s persona (personality)?
The author established the setting, the point of view, and the time. We
find out how old he is and how he sees thing.
1st first person - 2 perspectives – 5 year old with an adult’s voice as
seen in the narration. 2 levels of narration
Larry is self-absorbed and possessive and wants attention.
2. Describe how the narrator’s situation relates to the Oedipus complex.
He resents the father and wants to marry his mother, but there is no
sexual component. He’s just used to sleeping with his mother when he
dad is away.
3. How does O’Connor create humor in the story?
He creates it through the adult voice and verbal irony.
4. Describe the relationship between the narrator and his father. He feels
like a stranger to his father. He resents his father who has shown up
and is now replacing him. He’s cold toward his father. His father in turn
ignores his son.
5. What is the boy’s understanding of his mother’s pregnancy?
The narrator does not associate pregnancy initially with a baby coming.
He thinks people buy babies in a store. He thinks the baby will be a
good thing.
6. How does the new baby affect the relationship between the narrator
and his father? The baby replaces the attention he was getting. It
brings the father and son together because they feel pushed aside and
resent this new baby.
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