Workshop on the Analysis of “Secrets“, a short story by Bernard MacLaverty
A) COMPOSITION
The beginning, middle and the ending of a short story have different functions.
The beginning has the function of an exposition, i.e. the main theme and the
main characters are introduced. As the action moves on, suspense is created:
the reader wants to know what is going to happen next. This is often the result of
a conflict between the characters. In the middle section the conflict is built up to
a crisis or climax which then demands a solution in the end section. Sometimes
there is a surprise ending, sometimes the story is open-ended. (Note that you say
“happy ending” and not “happy end”). A technique often used in short stories is
the flashback which tells the reader about events that took place before the story
began.
Questions/Task A:
 How is Bernard MacLaverty’s “Secrets” composed? Give textual evidence for the seven technical terms that are underlined above.
 How would you describe the ending of “Secrets”?
Is there a solution? - If so, in what way and if not, why not?
With reference to the title of Bernard MacLaverty’s short story, would
you say that the secrets have been revealed? – Again, if so, in what way
and if not, why not?
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Workshop on the Analysis of “Secrets“, a short story by Bernard MacLaverty
B) CHARACTERISATION
Characterisation may be either explicit (direct) or implicit (indirect). Explicit
characterisation is the result of what the narrator says about a character directly; e.g. “Jane was a kind and helpful person”. Implicit characterisation is
the result of what the characters themselves do or say; e.g. Jane: “But of course
I can help you, any time.” or what other characters say about each other; e.g.
John: “Jane is always so kind and helpful.”
Note that the question of reliability has to be asked in both cases – explicit and
implicit characterisations.
The relationships among the individual characters of a short story are very important too – especially in terms of arising conflict. Sometimes the relationship
between characters has a significant influence on the advancement of the plot
(i.e. the plan or outline of events of a story [Handlungsstrang, Handlungsebene]).
Questions/Task B:
 Characterise each of the characters in “Secrets”; i.e. the boy, Aunt Mary,
the boy’s mother and brother Benignus. Give textual evidence for each
characterisation and define whether it is explicit of implicit.
 What can you say about the relationships between individual characters?
In what way do they influence the story?
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Workshop on the Analysis of “Secrets“, a short story by Bernard MacLaverty
C) OMISSION AND PRESUPPOSITION
Omission: In a short story, an element or elements can be left out deliberately.
Such omissions can be meaningful. In other words, it is important when the
reader notices that something is not said.
Presupposition: These are assumptions (Voraussetzungen, Annahmen) texts create. Presuppositions are never explicitly stated but they become clear as the
texts unfold.
Questions C:
 Where in “Secrets” can you find omissions and presuppositions?
 In what way are these omissions and presuppositions meaningful?
Task C:
Complete the letter to Mary on page 37:
Dearest Mary, I am writing this to you from my hospital bed. [….] I do not know
how to say this but I feel deeply that I must do something, must sacrifice something to make up for the horror of the past year. In some strange way Christ has
spoken to me through the carnage …
JOKER QUESTION:
Who is Brendan?
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Workshop on the Analysis of “Secrets“, a short story by Bernard MacLaverty
D) TECHNICAL TERMS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF A SHORT
STORY
 Write down which technical terms you have learned today and give a
short definition for each of them.
 Check the internet for the following terms and write them down in addition to the terms that you have come across today:
-setting (time and place)
-narrator (point of view)
-imagery (simile, metaphor, symbol).
At the end, you should have a list of technical terms for the analysis of short
stories that you can keep for further reference.
Note that most of the terms apply to the analysis of a novel too.
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