All the Years of Her Life

“All the Years of Her Life”

• Genre: Fiction; realistic short story; literary
• Originally Published: 1936
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 760L; grades 6-12
• Structure/Length: Approx. 4 pages; approx. 15 minutes on audio
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: Alfred Higgins is caught shoplifting by Mr. Carr, who owns the drugstore where he works. Instead of calling the police right away, Mr. Carr calls Alfred’s mother, who surprises both Mr. Carr and Alfred with her composure and grace in the situation.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Shoplifting; family conflict

Morley Callaghan, Author

• Bio: 1903-1990; Canadian novelist and short story writer; born in Toronto, Ontario; studied at both the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School; a prolific writer known for his realistic and poignant portrayals of ordinary people and their struggles; associated with the “Toronto school” of Canadian literature and a contemporary of renowned authors such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald; selected for Governor General’s Award for Fiction (1938) for More Joy in Heaven
• Other Works: Strange Fugitive (1928); It’s Never Over (1930); Such Is My Beloved (1934); More Joy in Heaven (1937); Luke Baldwin’s Vow (1948); A Fine and Private Place (1975)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• The Development of Empathy
• The True Meaning of Maturity
• The Selflessness of Maternal Love

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

• Reflect on social contexts regarding maturity and the consequences of one’s actions that relate to the story’s events.
• Read a text and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of The Development of Empathy, The True Meaning of Maturity, and The Selflessness of Maternal Love.
• Examine and analyze character development in the text to understand the significance of maturity and responsibility and the portrayal of selflessness in maternal love.
• Examine the author’s purpose and evaluate character development, themes, and literary elements by composing well-structured essays that explore character transformation.