In the Region of Ice by Joyce carol Oates |

In the Region of Ice

Post author:shortsonline
Post published:January 30, 2023
Post category:Short Stories

In the Region of Ice: Short story by Joyce carol Oates In this story by Joyce Carol Oates, a young nun teaching her first semester at a Jesuit university is confident in her academic role but feels confused and alienated by the outside world. Things change when a brilliant but mentally disturbed Jewish graduate student joins her literature class. Although stimulated by his questions and probing mind, he exhibits a need for emotional support beyond her comfort zone. When she refuses a request to lend him money and take his hand, he becomes hysterical and verbally abusive. Themes include identity, connection (emotional detachment), mental illness, alienation, faith, compassion.

In the Region of Ice Text / PDF (7,100 words)

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Tags: Oates, Psychological Realism

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Approximate Reading Times

Quick Read: under 5 minutes
Short Story: 5 to 30 minutes
Novelette: 30 to 90 minutes
Novella: 1.5 to 2.5 hours

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