What is the story "Separating" By John Updike about? i read it and i still don't understand the main concept it's trying to portray, and also what does the question "Why?" mean in the context of the story and what does the little boy mean by it? Thank you
"Separating" by John Updike is a short story that revolves around the theme of divorce and its impact on a family. The story follows Richard, a middle-aged man who tells his children, Judith and John, that he and their mother, Joan, are getting a divorce. Throughout the story, Richard experiences a mix of emotions as he navigates through the difficult process of breaking the news to his children and dealing with the aftermath.
To understand the main concept of the story, it might be helpful to consider the story's title, "Separating." The central theme revolves around the process of separation, both in terms of divorce and the emotional distance it creates within a family. The story explores the complex emotions, adjustments, and changes that accompany the dissolution of a marriage and how it affects the relationships between family members.
Regarding the question "Why?" in the context of the story, it is a recurring theme that reflects the characters' attempts to understand and make sense of the divorce. When the little boy, John, repeatedly asks "Why?" after being informed about the divorce, he is searching for an explanation for why his parents are separating. The question represents the confusion, hurt, and desire for understanding that a child might experience when faced with such a significant change in their family dynamics.
It is important to note that literary interpretations may vary, and readers can have different understandings of a story based on their own perspectives and experiences.
This article may help you.
http://www.atu.edu/lfa/Brucker/Engl2013/Separating.htm