Analysis

An analysis of the short story “The Castle” by Chloë Heuch shows that it follows a chronological plot structure. Flashbacks provide context to the present situation and explain the conflict between the narrator and her oldest son.

The main character is a recently divorced mother of three young children, who is also the story’s narrator. She sees the family outing at the castle as a test of her ability to be a single parent. The narrator’s relationship with her eldest son, Osian, is affected by her divorce.

The story focuses on the conflict between the narrator and Osian, as he is withdrawing from his mother after her divorce. The inner conflict that the narrator experiences is also worth mentioning.

The physical setting is probably somewhere in Wales, given the names of the character. The most important element of the setting is the castle, which ends up having a symbolic significance.

The story is told from the perspective of a first-person narrator. There are times when the narrator might not be entirely reliable, as her bitterness towards her husband seems to clash with Osian’s opinion of him.

The language of the short story is conversational, but also descriptive at times. Several symbols are used to highlight the relationship between the narrator and her oldest son Ossian. The fortifications of the castle, for example, and the falcon are symbolic elements that point to how the relationship between the narrator and Osian develops throughout the story.

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