This study guide will help you analyze the short story “Salt” by Jen Knox, which has been used for an exam in English STX B on the 17th of May 2023. You can also find a summary of the text, as well as inspiration for interpreting it.
If you need help with Assignments 1-4 from the STX B exam on the 17th of May 2023, you can read our guide here.
Presentation of the text
Title: “Salt” (2019)
Author: Jen Knox
Genre: Short story
Jen Knox is an American writer of novels, short stories, and creative nonfiction. Her published works include the novel We Arrive Uninvited, and the short story collections After the Gazebo, The Glass City, and Dandelion Ghosts. The short story “Salt” was first published on the Little Fiction website.
Uddrag
The conflict continues to intensify as Molly experiences discomfort and ringing in her ears, due to the loud gunshots at the range. Molly's mother fails to understand or address her distress, focusing instead on her own excitement and plans for the evening. Molly feels angry and numb, further highlighting the emotional distance between her and her mother. This leads Molly to become determined to create a future where she finds “freedom and security on (her) own terms”, distinct from her mother's choices.
Overall, the conflict between Molly and her mother revolves around their contrasting perspectives and the emotional baggage associated with their relationship. Molly's reluctance to use firearms comes from her desire to be different from her mother and her reservations about the potential dangers of using guns. Her mother, on the other hand, sees shooting as a source of release and empowerment.
The conflict underscores the generational and ideological differences between the two characters. In this way, the conflict between Molly and her mother can also be seen as a symbol of the general political conflict in the United States, where firearms are seen by some people as a human right according to the US Constitution and as a symbol of America’s freedom, while others view them as a dangerous, violent, and oppressive tool.
