Note
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Date Issued
1984
Description
Frank O'Connor's stories of family strife effectively incorporate
comic relief to underscore the essential tragedy and frustration
in his protagonists' lives. Through a myriad of Irish
idiosyncracies and traditions, O'Connor examines the conflicts
that emerge when attempts are made to reconcile impulsive instincts
with the bittersweet bonds of family heritage. The first
chapter, "The Marriage Trap," explores the dilemma facing couples
who seek to escape stagnation; the second chapter, "Role Confusian,"
deals with the tragicomic aspects of assuming different
identities; the final chapter, "The Substitute Family," depicts
lonely characters' desperate search for warmth in a family of
their own invention. For O'Connor's families, seeking fulfillment
becomes an anguished search. The author's use of comic
relief temporarily offsets, occasionally balances, and ultimately underscores their strife.
comic relief to underscore the essential tragedy and frustration
in his protagonists' lives. Through a myriad of Irish
idiosyncracies and traditions, O'Connor examines the conflicts
that emerge when attempts are made to reconcile impulsive instincts
with the bittersweet bonds of family heritage. The first
chapter, "The Marriage Trap," explores the dilemma facing couples
who seek to escape stagnation; the second chapter, "Role Confusian,"
deals with the tragicomic aspects of assuming different
identities; the final chapter, "The Substitute Family," depicts
lonely characters' desperate search for warmth in a family of
their own invention. For O'Connor's families, seeking fulfillment
becomes an anguished search. The author's use of comic
relief temporarily offsets, occasionally balances, and ultimately underscores their strife.
Language
Type
Form
Extent
90 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
14217
Additional Information
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1984.
Date Backup
1984
Date Text
1984
Date Issued (EDTF)
1984
Extension
FAU
FAU
admin_unit="FAU01", ingest_id="ing1508", creator="staff:fcllz", creation_date="2007-07-19 02:17:01", modified_by="staff:fcllz", modification_date="2011-01-06 13:09:07"
IID
FADT14217
Issuance
monographic
Organizations
Attributed name: Florida Atlantic University
Attributed name: Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Attributed name: Department of English
Person Preferred Name
BIAYS, JOHN SHERIDAN, JR.
Graduate College
Physical Description
90 p.
application/pdf
Title Plain
BITTERSWEET BLEND: A STUDY OF FAMILY STRIFE AND COMIC RELIEF IN SELECTEDSTORIES OF FRANK O'CONNOR
Use and Reproduction
Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Origin Information
1984
monographic
Boca Raton, Fla.
Florida Atlantic University
Physical Location
Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Place
Boca Raton, Fla.
Sub Location
Digital Library
Title
BITTERSWEET BLEND: A STUDY OF FAMILY STRIFE AND COMIC RELIEF IN SELECTEDSTORIES OF FRANK O'CONNOR
Other Title Info
BITTERSWEET BLEND: A STUDY OF FAMILY STRIFE AND COMIC RELIEF IN SELECTEDSTORIES OF FRANK O'CONNOR