Language and style of writing

Here we have a look at the way Bernard MacLaverty uses the language in the short story "Father and Son".

The language used in the short story is very simple and colloquial, making the text easy to understand. Furthermore, it…

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Metaphors and similes

The author employs several metaphors and similes to convey certain images about the characters and their interactions.

Instead of saying the father has an empty stomach, he uses “a stomach full of wind” (p. 113, l. 6). Furthermore, the father mentions that “my son is breaking my heart” (p. 113, l. 25) and that he saved the boy from dying: “I pulled you aw…

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Repetitions

The father uses the word “let” several times in his interactions with his son. The repetition of this word shows that the father’s desires depend on the son’s acceptance of his love and affection:

“Let me make some tea.” (p. 114, l. 2)

My son, let me …