Main conflict

In Kathy Stevens’ “This is All Mostly True”, the main conflict revolves around Elsie,  who is preoccupied with, and possibly confused by, the distinction between lies and truth. The conflict is mostly implied through the details given by Elsie and by her behaviour.

At first, readers notice how Elsie talks about her family members’ approach to lying: “Mum says lying is wrong; Dad says white lies are okay; Stacie says fiction is lies and fiction is the best thing in the world but your mum’s got a point.” (ll. 1-2)

Then, readers learn that Elsie’s mother does, in fact, lie, even if she appears to do so unintentionally: “She said she’s going to the bingo and will be back before ten. This means she’ll be going out clubbing and will be back after one. Mum’s rubbish at planning ahead, and she tells lies of all colours” (ll. 9-11). Elsie’s mother is also living a lie through her marriage – she does not want to be with Elsie’s father anymore, but stays with him for Elsie’s sake (l. 21).

Elsie’s father also lies implicitly in his relationship – although he stays with Elsie’s mother,...