Analysis

Next, we will highlight the most important aspects we will focus on when analyzing “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses” by Irwin Shaw.

The short story is structured around a seemingly common event in the life of a couple, Michael and Frances Loomis: walking in New York on a beautiful Sunday in February. The evolution of both characters is presented gradually in the short story and most of their features are revealed through their dialogue.

The events spread over the course of one or two hours, in New York City. The social setting points out the faulty relationship between the spouses as well as aspects related to social classes.

The narrator mostly has a limited point of view and does not have extensive insight into either Frances’ or Michael’s thoughts or feelings. An important part of the language is dialogue, which is rather economical and not overly complicated, which makes it mimic a real-life conversation.

You can read the full analysis in the following pages.