"First Confession" - Literary Analysis

“First Confession” by Frank O’Connor is a story about Jackie, the protagonist and narrator. Jackie’s sister, Nora, plays the role of the antagonist. Jackie’s grandmother is another antagonist in the story, as well as being a static character. Conflicts are featured throughout the story, especially man vs. self. Jackie has conflicting opinions about attending confession. Confrontations also frequently emerge between Jackie and Nora. O’Connor illustrates the setting when Jackie enters the church. O’Connor writes a simile, “…the wind whistled outside so that the silence within seemed to crackle like ice under my feet” (38) that brings the image to life. Symbolism is revealed when the teacher uses the candle flame to demonstrate what hell would be like.

This story is about expressing your sins and realizing that it is alright to have terrible thoughts sometimes. However, it is important to control yourself and understand the consequences of your actions. I was somewhat surprised by the characterization of the priest. The priest sided with Jackie when discussing the situation that happened with Nora and the bread-knife, saying that someone would go after Nora someday.

"The Lottery" - Literary Analysis

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson takes place on June 27th. It is a clear and sunny summer morning and 300 townspeople gather in the square. The story is told in omniscient objective point of view. In the beginning, the children gather large piles of stones, which is reminiscent of what is to come. In a bit of irony, Mrs. Hutchinson is late to the “lottery” and says, “…wouldn’t have me leave m’dishes in the sink, now would you, Joe?” (3). Perhaps the fact that the Watson boy must draw for their family is symbolic because his father might have been the unlucky town member the previous year.

This story can be interpreted as being quite controversial. Mrs. Hutchinson is a developing character because she does not oppose the lottery until she is the person to draw the slip. Her attitude changes drastically from giggling to screaming disapproval. The vivid details throughout the story truly dramatize the shocking ending. The final conflict is man vs. society, when whoever draws the slip with the dark blotch on it is attacked by the entire town.

"I Stand Here Ironing" - Literary Analysis

"I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen, is written in first person point of view in the mother's perspective. The protagonist of the short story is her daughter, Emily. The narrator is dealing with a "man vs. himself" conflict. She is conflicted with her choices on how she raised her daughter, Emily. The climax of the story is when Emily wins the talent show and Olsen writes; "Now suddenly she was Somebody..." (55). Olsen depicts a somewhat dark and gloomy mood in the story while describing Emily's childhood. "She is more than this dress on the ironing board, helpless before the iron," (56) is a metaphor implying that Emily has developed into a young woman capable of more than her mother could have hoped for.


I feel quite a bit of remorse for Emily. Olsen uses vivid imagery to illustrate specific instances in which Emily was neglected emotionally. In one situation, Emily is being bullied at school and pleads to stay home, saying “Momma, you look sick. Momma, I feel sick. Momma, the teacher’s aren’t there today, they’re sick” (51). It is nearly heart-wrenching when the mother reveals that it is too late now to comfort Emily. One theme to the story could be that you should always cherish the time you have with your children. They grow up extremely fast, and in this situation, the mother felt as if her “wisdom came too late” (56).