Charles Themes
The main themes in “Charles” are identity and gender psychology.
- Identity: Laurie discovers his identity through his interactions with others at school, developing the aggressive alter ego of “Charles.”
- Gender: Laurie’s name is feminine, while “Charles” is masculine. Laurie asserts his masculinity by acting out in front of his female teacher.
Themes: All Themes
Themes: Identity
The difficulty of a child shaping his or her identity is central to this story. Jackson suggests that negotiating and integrating aggressive impulses is essential to a child’s identity formation and that parents must be alert to the complexities of this psychological process. Through the character of Laurie/Charles, Jackson also raises questions concerning what is normal childhood aggression as opposed to what is dangerous and problematic. While...
(Read more)Themes: Gender
Gender psychology constitutes another theme in this story. Important to understanding Laurie, too, is his name, which is distinctly feminine, in contrast to the more formal and clearly masculine Charles, who does all the bad things. The child’s name suggests the mother’s desire to keep him close to her; boys, according to the ideology of the 1950s, should separate earlier and more decisively from their mothers than girls should. The child’s...
(Read more)Themes: Irony and Humor
After “The Lottery,” “Charles” may be Shirley Jackson’s best-known short story and is often anthologized for young readers. The story’s appeal seems to derive more from the irony of its surprise ending and from its humor than from any very significant thematic content. One interesting thematic aspect of the tale, however, emerges from considering the significance of Laurie’s creation and characterization of Charles.
(Read more)Themes: Identity and Self-Construction
The narrator reflects, as she sends Laurie off to his first day at kindergarten, that in his change of dress from corduroy overalls with bibs to blue jeans and a belt, he has been transformed from an innocent tot into “a swaggering character who forgot to stop at the corner and wave goodbye to me.” One can see Laurie as beginning the discovery of his identity. At school, he tries various modes of self-construction and self-assertion. Although...
(Read more)Themes: Behavior
In "Charles" by Shirley Jackson, the theme of behavior is explored through the actions and interactions of young Laurie, who creates an imaginary classmate named Charles. Laurie's stories about Charles's misbehavior at school serve as a mirror to his own actions, highlighting the challenges of adjusting to a new environment and the lack of parental awareness. The story delves into how children test boundaries and seek attention, and how parents...
(Read more)Expert Q&A
Who are the protagonist, antagonist, and catalyst in "Charles"? What is the theme and conflict?
In "Charles," the protagonist is Laurie, a kindergarten boy, while the antagonist is "Charles," an imaginary figure Laurie creates to externalize his misbehavior. The catalyst is Laurie's entry into kindergarten, which triggers his actions. The story explores themes of identity and self-deception, as Laurie distances himself from his actions by attributing them to "Charles." The conflicts include character vs. self, as Laurie struggles with his identity, and character vs. society, due to his misbehavior at school.
Analysis of the setting, theme, and exposition of Shirley Jackson's "Charles"
In Shirley Jackson's "Charles," the setting is a typical mid-20th-century American household and kindergarten, highlighting post-war domestic life. The theme revolves around the duality of human nature and the challenges of parenting. The exposition introduces Laurie, a young boy who starts kindergarten and begins telling stories about a mischievous classmate named Charles, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative twist.
Which parts of "Charles" illustrate the theme of appearance versus reality?
The theme of appearance versus reality in "Charles" is illustrated through Laurie's deceptive storytelling. Laurie's parents perceive him as a well-behaved child influenced by a misbehaving classmate, Charles, based on Laurie's stories. However, their perception is shattered when they learn Charles doesn't exist, revealing that Laurie himself is the disruptive child. This twist highlights the gap between appearances and reality, as Laurie's parents and the reader are misled by his tales.
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