My Oedipus Complex by Frank Connor Discussion Questions

Why is the story told from a child-narrator’s point of view? What is the impact of narrative voice on the story and on your response to the story?

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Make a comparison between Larry’s image of himself, his father and his mother at the beginning of the story and at the end of the story.

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Discuss the symbolic significance of the war imagery in the story.

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Discuss the symbolic significance of the enemy imagery in the story.

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What is your understanding of the adult world in “My Oedipus Complex” in relation to Larry’s world?

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In his depiction of Larry’s relationship with his mother and father, discuss how Frank O’Connor manages to demonstrate the shifts in mood in his story.

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