Revenge In The Liar, By Tobias Wolff

In “The Liar” by Tobias Wolff, the main character uses lies as a way of getting revenge on his mother, to make him feel better about his father’s death. James is trying to get revenge on his mother, because of her mistreatment and lack of presence throughout his childhood. The first time James realizes that his lies have had an effect on her is when he says, “She felt lonely in her confusion but didn't call anyone because she also felt like a failure. My lying had that effect on her. She took it personally… She thought that she had made a mess of her family" (45). The fact that she “felt like a failure” and that “she took [his lies] personally,” tells us that James has accomplished his goal for his lies to hurt his mother. James also mentions