Theme and message

The main theme of “The Spoiled Child” by Sinéad de Valera is that of growing-up and freeing oneself from parents’ influence. Through this fairy-tale, the author explores the negative consequences of bad parenting which may result from good intentions, but also the idea that children need proper guidance to develop into good persons as adults.

Growing up

The short story shows in an allegorical way some of the challenges of growing up and how the way children are raised can have negative consequences on their development. The protagonist of the short story, Aisling – though she has a good nature – grows up as a spoiled child because her parents grant her every wish. As a result, she comes to view herself and her needs always more important than others and their needs: “but naturally, I matter most to myself” (p. 81, l. 26).

At this point in the story, Aisling is still a child; the problem is that even when she grows up, she acts in childish ways, refusing to marry Ronan so that she could still enjoy the protection and indulgence of her parents.

The real process of growing up for Aisling starts at the initiative of her aunt Ina who asks the help of Lasar and pushes the girl to see the hardships of others to make her aware that she is not...