My Oedipus Complex: Method Of Narration
My Oedipus Complex by Frank O’Connor is a short story in which the method of narration drastically impacts the success of the story. The story begins with Larry and his mother having a normal day. Their bond is clearly demonstrated as is the way Larry’s father is alienated from him. When his father returns from the ear, however, Larry believes he and his mother’s relationship is at risk. Larry begins acting out in petty attempts to gain his mother’s attention. It soon becomes apparent to the reader that Larry is in love with his mother. The arrival of a new baby once again changes the family dynamic as Larry and his father come to a mutual understanding and empathy is developed between the two. The author clearly conveys Larry as innocent and naive making him appear more sympathetic towards the reader.
Larry’s father is rarely at home, going home from war once a year at most. Larry makes his father out as being “like Santa Claus” enforcing the idea that he is rarely seen and only appears annually. Larry suggesting his father “mysteriously” appearing demonstrates Larry’s misunderstanding of the adult world as his father is, in fact, fighting in the war. Ironically, Larry describes this time of violence as being the “most peaceful period” of his life as he is able to spend all this time alone with his mother. The author uses Larry’s innocent narration to further demonstrate the purity of the world through an adolescents eyes. This also allows Larry’s character to be depicted early, allowing the reader to connect more with him.
Larry soon realizes that his mother’s attention is divided between him and his father, this comes as a shock to Larry as he isn’t used to having to share anything involving his mother. His mother’s attitude towards Larry seems to have changed as he has been told to “be quiet” for “the first time” suggesting this was not the last time. Larry begins to feel ignored as he believes his mother prefers “talking to daddy” over spending time with him. Larry’s mother also becomes impatient with him as she begins to snap at him, making Larry see that he may not be the most important person to her. The first-person point of view narration from Larry allows the reader to develop empathy towards him, contributing to the overall success of the text.
Larry continues to exhibit aggressive feelings towards his father and decides to openly act out against him in competition. Larry and his father become unconcealed enemies. They begin conducting “a series of skirmishes against one another” in a trivial attempt to gain Larry’s mother’s attention. This illustrates the official start of the feud between Larry and his father and demonstrates Larry’s childlike need to constantly compete against his father and win. Larry also believes his father is trying to “steal” his time alone with his mother, a clear example of Larry’s naivety as he over exaggerates attempts at conflict and compares them to unlawful acts such as theft. The method of narration is necessary here to allow the reader to perceive Larry as innocent. The first-person narration puts everything into Larry’s point of view automatically allowing the reader to see things through Larry’s eyes. Therefore, the reader regards Larry as the protagonist.
Larry continues to see his father as an obstacle between him and his mother. Larry believes his father is trying to “alienate” him from his mother as an extension of the rivalry between the two. Larry also is unable to comprehend why his mother prefers spending time with his father as Larry sees him as “less winning” than himself. Larry is clearly unable to understand the adult world as he continually questions why he and his mother cannot be without his father. This is further demonstrated by the narration method which allows for the reader to see Larry as a pure child who cares deeply about his mother even when he does not fully comprehend the implications of what he is thinking.
To conclude, “My Oedipus Complex” by Frank O’Connor is a thought-provoking short story in which the narration method is a heavily contributing factor to the success of the text and overall understanding of the story. The main characters failure to fully understand his situation is key to the story. The author effectively conveys how important a consistent family hierarchy is by demonstrating the effects of an unstable familial dynamic. Larry’s character is developed by describing his quest for his mother’s attention and conveying his ignorance of the adult world.
