Content and Plot Details
In "My Parents," the narrator fears the rough children in part because they mock this specific speech imperfection behind him on the road
What is his lisp?
In "The Man of the House," this theme is presented as a life-altering experience that leads directly to the loss of childhood innocence
What is deception?
In "Little Boy Crying," the child envisions his father as a "grim giant" and "ogre," drawing on allusion and imagery similar to this classic fairy tale
What is Jack and the Beanstalk?
"The Man of the House" uses this narrative perspective to highlight childlike naivety, internal struggles, and a clear loss of innocence
What is a first-person child narrator?
In "The Man of the House," the young boy's commitment to growth, maturity, and duty comes into direct conflict with this childhood struggle
What is temptation?
In "Little Boy Crying," this is the exact age of the child experiencing intense frustration after receiving a swift slap
What is three years old?
In "Little Boy Crying," the father refrains from comforting his crying son because he fears ruining these
What are the lessons the child must learn?
The phrase "I feared more than tigers" in "My Parents" uses this device to exaggerate.
a) This is the name of the device
b) This trait is being exaggerated
What is hyperbole?
What is the strength of the bullies in comparison to the narrator's vulnerability and weakness. He fears them the same way prey fears predators?
The title "The Man of the House" employs this literary technique due to the contrast between the mature adult expectations placed on a young boy and what actually occurs
What is irony (verbal or situational irony)?
In "Little Boy Crying" immediately after being slapped, the three-year-old child stands waiting and "angling" in hopes of detecting a brief hint of these two emotions from his father
What are guilt/regret and sorrow?
In "The Man of the House," along with growth and maturity, O'Connor highlights this central theme when the protagonist deals with the remorse of giving in to temptation
What is guilt and redemption?
In "My Parents," despite feeling bullied and rejected by the local children, the narrator experiences this conflicting emotional theme toward them
What is longing or desire (to connect or forgive)?
In "My Parents," the line "salt coarse pointing" uses this technique for emphasis
a) This is the name of the technique
b)This is what it emphasizes
What is a metaphor?
To emphasize the abrasive, painful impact of the bullies' gestures?
In "The Man of the House," Frank O'Connor uses this literary technique through the statue of the Virgin Mary to represent religion as a source of hope and put the young boy's faith on display
What is symbolism?
In "Littly Boy Crying", behind his stern appearance, the father hides these emotions
What is hesitation and a deep desire to comfort his son?
The line "Who threw words like stones" in "My Parents" uses this literary device
a) This is the name of the device
b) The device shows this
What is a simile?
To show how harsh and hurtful the children's language is? / The words have a lasting impact; they leave scars and wounds
Comparing the rough children to dogs that "bark at my world" in "My Parents" serves this device effect
What is highlighting their animalistic aggression and the stark divide between the narrator's lifestyle and theirs?