Analysis
This section highlights the main elements of our analysis of the short story “Buttony” by Fiona McFarlane.
The story’s plot structure is linear and it takes place over a very short period of time. There are a few elements of backstory and foreshadowing, but the narration remains mostly in the present.
There are two main characters in the story: the teacher, Miss Lewis, and her favourite pupil, Joseph. They are both in positions of power within the group of their class and the dynamic of their relationship is a central part of the short story.
The social setting explores the dynamic between teachers and pupils, especially in terms of who holds control over the class. While the teacher is clearly a figure of authority, Joseph, a pupil, also has some power over his classmates, and arguably even over their teacher. Another aspect of the social setting addresses the preconceptions and expectations around physical beauty.
The story is told by a third-person narrator who is focused on the perspective of the teacher, Miss Lewis. Because we only get her perspective and her often questionable interpretation of the events, the narrator can also be described as unreliable.
The story is told with the help of descriptive language, using similes and symbols to create atmosphere and hint at the story's themes. The story also contains some fairy tale elements.
You can find a full analysis of the short story in the following pages.