With All Flags Flying Analysis

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Recommended: Literature as a reflection of society

Anne Tyler’s “With All Flags Flying” is a short story about an old man’s experience growing old and having someone take care of him. All of his daughters want to take care of him and have him stay at their house, but he is determined to live at a nursing home. This short story explores the theme that humans are innately selfish. One way in which this story clearly delves into the theme that humans are innately selfish is in the actions of the old man. In the following quote, when the old man, Mr.Carpenter, is staying with his family, he refuses his daughters’ offers to stay with him over and over again. “His other daughters called long distance from all across the county and begged him to come to them if he wouldn’t stay with Clara.

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