Theft by Katherine Anne Porter: Analysis
Theft by Katherine Anne Porter
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Theft by Katherine Anne Porter Analysis
Style and Technique (Comprehensive Guide to Short Stories, Critical Edition) print Print document PDF list Cite link Link
“Theft” is a unique short story in the Porter canon for several reasons. It is the first effort at incorporating autobiographical elements into her work. Porter developed an intense relationship with Matthew Josephson, her literary mentor and lover. His wife, after discovering the affair, told him to choose between them. Josephson chose his wife and wrote Porter a letter detailing the decision and the fervent hope they could continue working together and remain friends. Porter was crushed and humiliated by the rejection, which is echoed in the experience of this story’s protagonist.
Porter creates an atmosphere entirely different from those of her earlier efforts by placing “Theft” in a contemporaneous urban setting. She also uses flashbacks more extensively than in her previous work, and as integral parts of the story. Most of it takes place in the woman’s mind. Her heroine is defined slowly and with a myriad of small details not present in her earlier characters.
Porter employs a number of effective stylistic devices. She uses the weather to set the story’s tone through her use of the rain, establishing the bleak mood that distorts vision. Her use of material objects, such as the purse, hats, letters, and a cup of coffee, are skillfully and symbolically woven into the story. Camilo’s hat being destroyed by the driving rain is contrasted to Eddie’s stylish wearing of a hat under any circumstances and Roger’s protection of his. Porter uses the letter device for both reconciliation and termination. For Roger, the letter means the renewal of the severed relationship with his wife; for the nameless protagonist, a letter triggers a rejection of part of her past and precipitates her feelings toward the thief and
Follow 10 Members Following
Summary
Themes
Analysis
More ▻
Theft by Katherine Anne Porter Analysis
Style and Technique (Comprehensive Guide to Short Stories, Critical Edition) print Print document PDF list Cite link Link
“Theft” is a unique short story in the Porter canon for several reasons. It is the first effort at incorporating autobiographical elements into her work. Porter developed an intense relationship with Matthew Josephson, her literary mentor and lover. His wife, after discovering the affair, told him to choose between them. Josephson chose his wife and wrote Porter a letter detailing the decision and the fervent hope they could continue working together and remain friends. Porter was crushed and humiliated by the rejection, which is echoed in the experience of this story’s protagonist.
Porter creates an atmosphere entirely different from those of her earlier efforts by placing “Theft” in a contemporaneous urban setting. She also uses flashbacks more extensively than in her previous work, and as integral parts of the story. Most of it takes place in the woman’s mind. Her heroine is defined slowly and with a myriad of small details not present in her earlier characters.
Porter employs a number of effective stylistic devices. She uses the weather to set the story’s tone through her use of the rain, establishing the bleak mood that distorts vision. Her use of material objects, such as the purse, hats, letters, and a cup of coffee, are skillfully and symbolically woven into the story. Camilo’s hat being destroyed by the driving rain is contrasted to Eddie’s stylish wearing of a hat under any circumstances and Roger’s protection of his. Porter uses the letter device for both reconciliation and termination. For Roger, the letter means the renewal of the severed relationship with his wife; for the nameless protagonist, a letter triggers a rejection of part of her past and precipitates her feelings toward the thief and