The Power of Honesty: Theme from “Charles”
The short story “Charles” by Shirley Jackson, takes place in a kindergarten classroom. Laurie, a kindergarten student, decides to lie to his parents so he will not get in trouble. While Laurie continues to lie to his mother, she continues to get more and more anxious to meet Charles and his mother.. One lesson this short story suggests is to always be honest with everyone because if you do not they will eventually find out.
In the beginning, Laurie’s mother had said that he had gone from “a nursery- school tot, to a long-trousered swaggering character who forgot to stop at the corner and wave goodbye.” Jackson had included this quote in the story to show how hard it would be for his mother to think …show more content…
Throughout the story, Laurie says that if Charles has to stay after school, the rest of the class does as well, when really it is just Laurie staying after and trying to convince his parents even more. Laurie’s mother is continuing to become more and more anxious and can not wait to find out who Charles’ mother is in the upcoming PTA meeting.. During the meeting she looks around but does not see a mother that would be haggard enough to be Charles’ mother. No one had stood up to apologized for the child’s behavior nor did anyone mention the name Charles. After the meeting Laurie’s mother had sought out his kindergarten teacher and she had been holding a cup of tea and a piece of cake. They moved towards each other cautiously, smiling.
“I have been so anxious to meet you,” I said. “I am Laurie’s mother.”
“We are all so interested in Laurie,” she said.
“Well he certainly likes kindergarten,” I said. “He talks about it all the time.”
“We had a little bit o trouble adjusting, the first week or so,” she said primly. “But now he is a fine helper. With occasional lapses of course.”
“Laurie usually adjusts very quickly,” I said. “I suppose this time it is Charles influence.”
“Charles?”
“Yes,” I said, laughing, “you must have your hands full in that kindergarten with
The short story “Charles” by Shirley Jackson, takes place in a kindergarten classroom. Laurie, a kindergarten student, decides to lie to his parents so he will not get in trouble. While Laurie continues to lie to his mother, she continues to get more and more anxious to meet Charles and his mother.. One lesson this short story suggests is to always be honest with everyone because if you do not they will eventually find out.
In the beginning, Laurie’s mother had said that he had gone from “a nursery- school tot, to a long-trousered swaggering character who forgot to stop at the corner and wave goodbye.” Jackson had included this quote in the story to show how hard it would be for his mother to think …show more content…
Throughout the story, Laurie says that if Charles has to stay after school, the rest of the class does as well, when really it is just Laurie staying after and trying to convince his parents even more. Laurie’s mother is continuing to become more and more anxious and can not wait to find out who Charles’ mother is in the upcoming PTA meeting.. During the meeting she looks around but does not see a mother that would be haggard enough to be Charles’ mother. No one had stood up to apologized for the child’s behavior nor did anyone mention the name Charles. After the meeting Laurie’s mother had sought out his kindergarten teacher and she had been holding a cup of tea and a piece of cake. They moved towards each other cautiously, smiling.
“I have been so anxious to meet you,” I said. “I am Laurie’s mother.”
“We are all so interested in Laurie,” she said.
“Well he certainly likes kindergarten,” I said. “He talks about it all the time.”
“We had a little bit o trouble adjusting, the first week or so,” she said primly. “But now he is a fine helper. With occasional lapses of course.”
“Laurie usually adjusts very quickly,” I said. “I suppose this time it is Charles influence.”
“Charles?”
“Yes,” I said, laughing, “you must have your hands full in that kindergarten with