27 pages 54 minutes read

Shirley Jackson

Charles

Fiction | Short Story | YA | Published in 1948

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Essay Topics

1.

Among the possible interpretations of the story regarding the identity and character of Charles, which do you think has the most compelling textual evidence? Explain.

2.

How does “Charles” fit into the contextual lens of Literary Realism? Explain your answer.

3.

How does Jackson subvert expectations in the narrative of “Charles”? What does this subversion mean for the story as a whole? Explain your answer.