Frank O’Connor created a unique link of this concept to his story. O’Connor did not exactly take Freud’s theory very seriously in relation to this story. He seemed to portray the Oedipus complex as a humorous innuendo to his readers. The story is written by the older man who looks back and tells the story from the little boy’s point of view. The young character Larry has a very strong attachment with his mother. This is understandable because Larry’s whole world is centred around his mother. He is used to sharing his mother’s bed early in the morning, chatting with her and deciding what they will do that day. But when his father returns he couldn’t do these things anymore. Larry views his father as a stranger who suddenly steals his mothers love and attention away from him. What he feels is this intense sense of jealousy, probably because he was so used to having his mother to himself only. Larry is a very self centred, selfish and possessive boy, as most five year olds’ are. So naturally he feels threatened and frustrated when he sees his mother paying more attention to his father. He feels left out and starts competing with his father for his mother’s attention as only a five year old would know how. This creates a very hilarious situation and the readers are constantly amused by his actions.
Unfortunately, Larry’s attempts to compete with his father results in censure from his mother. Although he is far too young to understand the physical attraction his mother feels, he is nevertheless aware of something he doesn’t understand. While his promise to rescue his mother from “the vulgar man” results in his fathers mockery, his wish to marry her reminds the readers of the implications of the title of the story. However, at the end, he finally comes to terms with his father and Larry moves from rivalry with his father over possession of his mother’s love to reconciliation with him.
Larry had a special love for his mother. He trusted her and wanted to be with her forever. She was the one who knew him best and the readers can easily see she was the first woman Larry truly loved. A true Oedipus complex was only meant to apply to children in their toddler years, and eventually they grow out of it. However, Larry was a five year old boy who never attached himself to his mother in a romantic or sexual way. He certainly did mention that he wanted to marry his mother and make babies with her (in order to spite his father). However, he obviously does not understand that a relationship like that involves romantic love. What he understands is jealousy, particularly because he is so offended when his father unknowingly intervenes in his personal relationship.
It is evident that O’Connor never meant to use Freud’s theory seriously. It is actually a very skilful and amusing recreation of Freud’s theory of Oedipus complex. The author takes Freud’s concept and twists it into a funny, witty depiction of a little boy’s jealousy, outrage, resentment at being partially deprived of something he thought was his exclusive right (his mothers love and attention). The author is brilliant here in recreating the boy’s world. So we can say that throughout the story O’Connor uses Freud’s interpretation of Oedipal myth very ironically only to enhance the humorous effect.
