Analysis

An analysis of the short story “Tin Man” by Jennifer Kerslake shows that it follows a mostly chronological plot structure. Flashbacks are sometimes used to offer more details about the characters’ backgrounds and give the readers a deeper insight into their relationship.

The main character is a nine-year-old girl who is also the narrator of the short story. The narrator struggles with losing her mother and also her desire to fit in at school. The narrator’s father is also an important character and his relationship with his daughter plays an important role in the events.

The setting focuses on the house where the narrator lives with her father. The house is located far from the town, which offers a sense of isolation. Other places, such as the father’s workshop and the school offer more insight into the minds of the characters.

The story is told from the point of view of a first-person narrator. Although the narrator is a child, her voice is mature and reflective. At the same time, her subjective perspective might lead the readers to misjudge certain situations, especially when it comes to the narrator’s father.

The language is descriptive and focuses on the contrast between how the narrator’s life was when her mother was alive and how it is now. Similes and metaphors offer further insight into the relationship between the father and the daughter. The story is rich in symbols, such as that of the Tin Man costume, which represents the moment when the narrator and her father eventually reconnect and reshape their relationship after their loss.

You can read a more detailed analysis in the following pages.