Analysis essay
In the captivating short story “The Witch” by Shirley Jackson, the grotesque of the old man as well as the exaggerated tale acts as an amusement source and not just a peril for the little boy who appears bored. Through a comprehensive observation of the dynamics of the presented old man, the boy as well as the mother to the boy, it is seen that this short story is an unequivocally fictitious narrative, one which is intended specifically for bringing about entertainment but not a source of fear. The old man’s short story has a narrative style that gives a representation of Grimm’s fairy tales, with the same seeing to embrace a sense of absurdity as a way of captivating the author’s audience. Though this short story acts as the mother’s cautionary anecdote, giving a warning against the issue of neglecting the emotional desires of her children, its moral teaching eludes her as a result of her endless indifference.
The story by the old man starts with a casual exchange of words between him and the little boy while they are on the train. The old man, in a skillful manner, draws the little boy in with a short tale that revolves around his blood sister, which to some point blends elements of horror and a sense of fantasy which captures the attention of the little boy. The little boy then listens with a lot of eagerness, with his eye widening at each twist of the narrative which gives a display of fascination. Despite the undertones of the short story which appear dark, the old man and the little boy’s interaction remains light-hearted, with the same being characterized by moments of laughter between the two “The little boy laughed excitedly, and the man leaned back and puffed at his cigar. “Once upon a time…” (Shirley no pg) It is quite seen that the intention of the old man is not to frighten the little boy but just bring him to an entertaining juncture throughout the journey. The manner and ease with which the little boy engages with the narrative underscores the fictional nature of the story, emphasizing the enjoyment that the shared experience brings and not any form of fear from the short story.
Despite the apprehension of the mother initially and her trial to protect her child from an encounter that appears to be potentially deeming, it becomes evident that the short story by the old man has no genuine peril. At first, the mother acts with a sense of alarming mixture and an instinct to protect her son, interjecting as the old man continues with his tale with the mother insisting on the departure of the old man from their surroundings. However, her response is softened by an existing comprehension of the old man’s intentions which are not harmless and which are genuinely benign which makes her recognize the narrative as one which is meant to entertain the little boy (Shirley no pg). As she gives the little boy reassurance, stating, “he was just teasing,” these words from the mother act as a testament to her genuine acknowledgment of the playful demeanor of the old man as well as the harmlessness of his storytelling. This exchange then makes the mother shift from her initial perception of guarded vigilance to a better understanding of the entertaining interaction between the old man and the little boy.
Moreover, the understanding of the old man’s story by the little boy as a tale involving witches acts as a force to put into context the fictional as well as the fantastical essence of the whole narrative. The innocent acceptance of the little boy on the existence of witches gives a demonstration of his active participation in a world of imagination which the old man’s storytelling creates, and not an indicator of any kind of danger or fear. Again, the subsequent effort by the mother to properly divert the attention of the little boy with a lollipop and give him real reassurance highlights her recognition of the armless motives of the old man. Through the enjoyment of the little boy in a distraction which is pleasant as well as giving him an affirmation of the harmless nature of the tale by the old man, the mother will give a demonstration of her comprehensive understanding of the entertaining nature of the old men and the little boy’s interaction. This is an acknowledgment that further underscores the difference between the fantastical telling of a story and real-world safety concerns. Through the mother’s actions in this tale, she gives a subtle conveyance of her acceptance of the role played by the old man as a storytelling entertainer and not a threat to the wellness of the little boy.
Conclusively, “The Witch “by Shirley Jackson gives a portrayal of the entertaining storytelling intentions of the old man whose tale which is exaggerated acts as a caution at amusement but in a very harmless manner for the little boy who at first appeared bored. While at first, the mother, may perceive the narrator as a threat to the little boy, her recognition of the harmless intentions of the old man gives a comprehensive understanding of how powerful storytelling is when it comes to engagement and entertainment. Generally, the interaction of the old man with the little boy acts as a take that is cautionary for the mother, highlighting the need to recognize the difference between reality and fiction in the landscape of storytelling.
Work Cited
Shirley Jackson. “THE WITCH – Shirley Jackson.” https://cpb-ca-c1.wpmucdn.com/myriverside.sd43.bc.ca/dist/5/342/files/2014/02/The-Witch-Shirley-Jackson-22gzalp.pdf
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