The Drunkard Critical Lens

Evaluating fiction is not based on which piece of literature is a better story, or was written by a more profound author, instead, literature can be loosely evaluated by two main judgments. First, each piece should be reviewed as to how fully it connects to the central purpose, or theme of the work. Each element of the story should contribute to the central theme in a well executed story. Second, each work should be judged by how powerful the purpose is. This can cause differing judgements between readers because of different connections stories have to reader's own life. Altogether, it is difficult to have a conclusive answer while evaluating literature. Each piece can be interpreted differently, therefore, creating separate judgments on the
The irony of the child becoming drunk, in combination with the humor involved, draws presence to the theme. “God forgive you, wasting our hard-earned few ha’pence on drink, and bringing up your child to be a drunken corner-boy like yourself” (O’Connor 347). The husband is admonished for the son’s drunkenness, even when it is the boy’s own actions that led to this. By watching his father’s previous bouts of alcoholism, the boy was obviously curious about what led his father to drink so much. “I was still thirsty. I found that if I stood on my tiptoe I could just reach Father’s glass, and the idea occurred to me that it would be interesting to know what the contents were like” (O’Connor 343). The child’s curiosity originated from the father’s previous behavior. However, it was only until the end of the story, was the purpose introduced. Until the end, one could think the purpose was the unpleasant effects of alcoholism on a family. Also in the beginning O’Connor introduces two paragraphs about the deceased Mr. Dooley, which has no contribution to the theme. It seems to be an excess of background information unnecessary to the story. Therefore, only the middle and last sections of the story contributes to the purpose of the piece as a whole. Because of this divergence from the theme, the piece as a whole is not
Children are formed largely by observing adults, and mimicking their actions. Therefore, if a parent is under the influence of alcohol, the child will be curious enough to try some. It is not only a curiosity about alcohol either, it could be any action the parent partakes in, positive or negative. Negatively, a child could be influenced to try smoking, cursing, or illegal activity. But positively, a child could be influenced to volunteer, do sports, or be polite. O’Connor is saying that parents play an influential role in the personality, and actions of their children. Although not everything is learned through the nurturing of parents, it is still important to raise a child in the best environment