Short Story 'All The Years Of Her Life'

Ashamed Miss Higgins
In the short story, “All the years of her life” by Morley Callaghan, the character, Miss Higgins, is very ashamed of Alfred, which narrates all the years of her life of being ashamed. To begin with, Miss Higgins has always been ashamed of Alfred whenever he has got into trouble or done something wrong. In the drug store when Alfred is caught stealing and when Miss Higgins comes in, Alfred describes Miss Higgins, “If you would only listen to me before doing anything” (Callaghan 2). Miss Higgins repeatedly is very ashamed that Alfred had gotten into trouble. Therefore, we can infer that Alfred has never listened to Miss Higgins, before committing actions which lead Miss Higgins always to be ashamed of Alfred. Secondly,

Thirdly, when Miss Higgins and Alfred came home and Miss Higgins started to make some tea on the kettle and tried to lift and drink the tea, however, was incapable. This demonstrates all the years of life, as Alfred narrates, “When she reached out and lifted the kettle to pour hot water in her cup her hand trembled and the water splashed on the stove. Leaning back in the chair, she sighed and lifted the cup to her lips, and her lips were groping loosely as if they would never reach the cup. She swallowed the hot tea eagerly and then she straightened up in relief, though the hand holding the cup still trembled. She looked very old.” (Callaghan 3). This Quote demonstrates all the years of Miss Higgins life. This likewise represents all the years Alfred has disgraced and ashamed Miss Higgins. Miss Higgins is unable to drink the scorching tea, as Miss Higgins is very reluctant and devested what Alfred had done to Miss Higgin`s over the years. Therefore, all the years of Miss Higgins are shown through one sip of tea, this demonstrates to us that Miss Higgins is very perennial and exasperated from Alfred disgracing Miss Higgins all the time. In conclusion, Miss Higgins is very ashamed of Alfred, which narrates all the years of