Lorraine M. York’s Analysis of Epilogue: “stones”

Lorraine M. York’s Analysis of Epilogue: “Stones”

        Lorraine M. York’s article “Epilogue: ‘Stones’” offers an analysis of Timothy Findley’s short story “Stones”.  York’s analysis focuses on the effects of war, the societal aspect of the different classes and how it affects “veterans and their families.” (par. 2)

        York provides several examples on how post war can have an effect on family, society and individuals. For instance, when Cy finds out that his father is going to war, he is “exhilarated” (par. 1) by the news. Their father after been discharged returns back to the domestic establishment, upon return his psychological state is completely different and ends up losing the respect and love of his family. The father who is unable to accept his military effort is treated like the unsung hero.  Thinking that he can wear his “military greatcoat” (par. 4), the mother explains how the “mixture of the military and the domestic is frowned upon” (par. 4). York claims how the father is unable to wash his hands of the war, and tries to instill in the minds of his children asking why “don’t you fight back” (par. 3).  The children, who are unable to comprehend what happened, later find out that their father is a coward and neglected his troops. Ironically enough, the children and mother with the exception of Ben end up turning their back on their father, who was once a respectable, loving, hard working man.

        York’s societal examples illustrate how the different classes treat one another, thinking one side is better than the other.  It “consists of Rosedale matron's snubbing of the boy's mother” (par. 2) and in the end where the upper class is “forced to grunt acknowledgement” (par. 2).  How the butcher is chased out of town because of his name “Oskar Schickel” (par. 5) and replaces him with “Arthur Reilly” (par. 5).  In the end, the post effect of war is handled well by the matron society than the upper class society. Out of courtesy and respect, the upper class is forced to acknowledge the matron society when walking down the street.