"My Oedipus Complex": Mixed Reactions to O'Connor's Central Character Jennifer Wright 11th Grade

"My Oedipus Complex" by Frank O'Connor is a short story in which the reader has extremely mixed feelings towards the main character, Larry. The story begins with Larry and his mother having a normal day. Their incredibly strong bond is clearly demonstrated, as is the way Larry’s father is completely alienated to Larry. When his father returns from the war, however, Larry believes that his and his mother’s relationship is at risk. Larry begins acting out in petty attempts to gain his mother's attention, usually in ways that he believes to be discrediting his father. It soon becomes apparent to the reader that Larry is in love with his mother. The arrival of a new baby, however, 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 and allowing more room for debate over whether he is a good or bad character.

Larry’s father is rarely at home, going home from war once a year at most. Larry describes his father as being “like Santa Claus” enforcing the idea that he is rarely seen and only appears annually. Larry suggesting his father “mysteriously” appearing...