Little Selves by Mary Lerner (1960)
The narrative centers on an elderly woman reflecting on her life as she approaches death. Margaret O'Brien, at seventy-five, is visited by neighbors and family, who observe her fading health and mental state. While they speculate about her memories and mental clarity, Margaret retreats into her past, reliving her childhood experiences and the vibrant figures of her youth. Through her reveries, she recalls moments of joy, innocence, and the bittersweet nature of growing up, including her interactions with family, friends, and the enchanting world of fairies. As she journeys through her memories, she seeks to recapture a sense of lost time, particularly a cherished red coat from her childhood. Her niece, Anna, becomes a confidante, encouraging Margaret to share her memories, which brings the past to life for both women. The story explores themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time, illustrating how the elderly cling to their past selves as a means of coping with the inevitability of death. Ultimately, Margaret finds solace in her memories, creating a bridge between her past and present, and ensuring that her youthful selves are not forgotten. The narrative concludes with a sense of peace as Margaret embraces her memories and prepares for her final moments.
By Mary Lerner · First published 1960 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Drama · 5,773 words
First lines
Margaret O'brien, a great-aunt and seventy-five, knew she was near the end. She did not repine, for she had had a long, hard life and she was tired. The young priest who brought her communion had administered the last rites -- holy oils on her eyelids (Lord, forgive her the sins of seeing! ); holy oils on her lips (Lord, forgive her the sins of speaking! ), on her ears, on her knotted hands, on her weary feet. Now she was ready, though she knew the approach of the dread presence would mean greater suffering. So she folded quiet hands beneath her heart, there where no child had ever lain, yet where now something grew and fattened on her strength. And she seemed given over to pleasant revery.
What this Textopian page supports
Little Selves is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Lerner, dated 1960 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary Lerner
- Date: 1960 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Drama, Women's Fiction, Immigrant Literature
- Length: 5,773 words
- Structure: 1 section, 96 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Little Selves by Mary Lerner
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Little Selves?
- How does this short story by Mary Lerner fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in the early 20th century, depicting the immigrant experience in America at the time. It provides context and insights into that time period.
- Short Stories — Little Selves is a collection of short stories, each offering distinct characters and narratives within a shared thematic framework of immigration, identity, and individuality.
- Drama — Many stories deal with emotional, interpersonal, and societal conflicts, dramatic situations and experiences.
- Women's Fiction — The book highlights the experiences, perspectives, and inner lives of women in its narratives, making it relevant to the genre of Women's Fiction.
Tags
identity · self-discovery · coming-of-age · family · relationships · growth · childhood · memory · psychology · narrative · emotional · introspection