Mirror Image - Lena Coakley

 Mirror Image  - Lena Coakley

Background Information

The background information of the story can be found in the link below.

https://lenacoakley.com/short-stories/

Genre: Science Fiction

Point of View: Third Person

Setting: The story takes place in the following places;

     a. Hospital

     b. Alice's house

     c. Bedford Avenue

Characters and Character Analysis

1. Alice

Alice is the main or central character of the story. She is the first person to undergo a brain transplant and survive. 

She is a dynamic character. 

We see her solving her internal conflict in the end. Further, there is a change in her personality. She was timid and insecure in the beginning but later she becomes bold and outgoing. 

2. Jenny

Alice's twin sister. She is a round character.

It is because she is portrayed as a conflicted and contradictory person. (Doesn't want to share her diary with Alice, upset when Alice doesn't like the cake, doesn't like Alice's change in personality. She is having trouble accepting her sister after the transplant) 

3. Mother

Alice's mother. She is a round character as well.

It is because she is portrayed as a conflicted person. (She is guilty and conflicted as well. She isn't able to make proper eye contact with Alice)

4. Mr. Jarred and Mrs. Jarred

Gail's parents. Mr. Jarred can be described as a flat character, but, not static because, in the end, he accepts his daughter's demise. On the other hand, Mrs. Jarred doesn't want to let go of the fact. Which proves she is a static character. 

Plot

i. Exposition

Alice is back home after going through the operation. 

ii. Rising Action

  Alice and her father met with an accident.

 Alice loses her father in the accident. 

iii. Climax

Alice undergoes a brain transplant after the accident.

iv. Denouement 

Alice meets Mr. Jarred in Bedford Avenue. The interaction between the two in the street helps Alice realize her identity. 

Conflict

The story has both internal and external conflict.

Internal Conflict: Alice Vs Herself and Gail

The story revolves around the protagonist Alice who underwent a brain transplant after a fatal accident. After the surgery, Alice has to undergo lots of mental struggles in order to adjust her mind to her new body. 

External Conflict

Alice vs. Mother - After the operation, her mother supports her and constantly consoles her, however, her mother struggles to make eye contact with her. This shows that the mother too has difficulty accepting her change. 

Alice vs. Sister - The major external conflict that the protagonist has is with her sister Jenny. They used to be close and had trust in each other. However, after the operation, Jenny does not trust her and she doesn't like changes in her. 

Alice vs. Jarreds and Society - After the operation, everyone around Alice is affected. The Jarreds and her own family are affected the most. The people around her cannot accept her as an ordinary being. (The line where she says, maybe they are afraid of me proves the society's difficulty)

Literary Devices

Vignette - A vignette typically refers to a short, descriptive scene or piece of writing that focuses on a particular moment, character, or event. It provides insight into a character's thoughts, emotions, or experiences. It has the ability to convey a vivid and evocative snapshot of a larger story or theme. It helps add depth and richness to storytelling by providing glimpses into the inner workings of a narrative or its characters.

The story is presented in seven small vignettes. Each part deals with a different time period. 

Allegory - The Oxford English Dictionary defines "allegory" as a "story, picture, or other piece of art that uses symbol to convey a hidden or ulterior meaning, typically a moral or political one."

The story is an allegorical tale of Alice the protagonist who is on her journey to find her true identity.

Flashback -  The place and time frame in the story jumps around frequently. 

Symbolism

    1. Sunglasses 

    2. Eyes 

    3. Mirror

    4. Initial ACS on the concrete

    5. Cake

Theme

The major theme in the story is self-realization. 

There are others as follows;

    1. identity crisis and finding our true identity

    2. ethics of medical science

Practice Question