Search results
The protagonist’s position on the threshold of the room resonates metaphorically with this transitional state between life and death. Additionally, by kneeling on the threshold, he also demonstrates his role as a bystander, unsure of his place at Mary’s death.
The protagonist of “Secrets” is an unnamed young man who lives with his mother and his Great Aunt Mary. At the beginning of the story, Great Aunt Mary is on her deathbed, surrounded by family. As the protagonist waits for her death, the story flashes back to his childhood, when the protagonist is a curious boy in a household that values ...
- "Secrets" Short Story
- "Secrets" Summary
- Theme: Guilt and Forgiveness
- More Short Stories
"Secrets" by Bernard MacLaverty is a part-epistolary short story of almost 3,400 words. A young man's great aunt is dying. He joins his family at her home to be there for her final moments. His reminiscences reveal a significant incident that changed their relationship.
The protagonist, who had been studying with his girlfriend for their "A" levels, returns home. His Great Aunt Mary is near death, and the house is full of relatives. He kneels, joining some others in prayer at the bedroom door. His aunt lies in bed with little strength. He can't bear the noise she's making. He gets up and goes to her sitting room. ...
Guilt and forgivenessare major themes in the story even though we might not fully realize this until the end. We see it, of course, in the protagonist but also in John, the soldier.
Award Winning Short Stories Discover some exceptional short stories that have been recognized with a major award. The selections include a brief introduction and a link for easy online reading.
The Protagonist. The protagonist of “Secrets” is an unnamed young man who lives with his mother and his Great Aunt Mary. At the beginning of the story, Great Aunt Mary is on her deathbed, surrounded by… read analysis of The Protagonist.
The main character is an unnamed teenager who lives with his mother and great aunt. The story starts with him returning home to see Aunt Mary before she dies. Although the story is short, the protagonist matures emotionally via the loss as he confronts his guilt over a childhood incident: reading Mary’s letters without her permission.
There’s a line between deceiving the reader and building suspense, but when is a secret a cornerstone of the plot, and when is it a gimmick? The answer is, it depends. Whose secret is it, and how is it discovered?
People also ask
Who is the protagonist in Secrets?
What does the protagonist wear in Secrets?
How does the protagonist's mother change throughout the story?
Why is the protagonist called to see his great aunt Mary?
Where does the protagonist find his aunt?
What is the Teacher edition on secrets?
In the last paragraph of the short story "Secrets" by Bernard MacLaverty, the protagonist cries after his aunt has died. MacLaverty writes, "he cried silently into the crook of his arm...
