Analysis

An analysis of “Close by the Water’s Edge” by Claire Keegan shows that the story follows a traditional plot structure. The narrative follows a young man who has a distant relationship with his mother and stepfather, and who feels conflicted about the type of life he should lead. 

The characters include the young man as a main character. The young man’s mother and stepfather also appear in the story, and his grandmother is repeatedly mentioned. These characters are relevant for the social setting of the story, as they reveal different experiences and points of view that influence the main character. 

The events take place on the Texas coast, in and around a building complex owned by Richard, the main character’s stepfather. The physical setting includes the ocean, which is important both to the main character and to his grandmother. The social setting explores topics related to family life, society’s expectations, and homophobia. 

The events are described by a third-person, limited narrator who only has access to the main character’s thoughts and feelings. The language is sometimes descriptive, reflecting the main character’s perspective. The story is told through a mix of dialogue and narration, which helps convey the characters’ perspectives. 

You can read a more detailed analysis in the following pages.