In the short story "Secrets" by Bernard MacLaverty, how does the

last paragraph help us to relate to the themes and plot of the

story? What characteristics of the protagonist can be seen in the
themes and the plot?

I think the reason why your question has remained unanswered for a month or
so is because you are too specific about the "last paragraph" idea. Enotes
educators won't do your assignment for you, but we can expand upon the ideas
you need to understand in order to complete your assignment in the
fullest. Therefore, I will be specific about themes and plot, but general in
regard to placement. Then you can go back, read that last paragraph, and
see how it relates. For this reason, let's look at the more general thoughts in
your question in regard to "the themes and plot of the story" and "the
characteristics of the protagonist."

First, let's look at the themes in the book: pain and loss. Written as a
flashback, "Secrets" is about the pain and loss associated with the death of
Aunt Mary. Aunt Mary, of course, is dying and has a very cold (if that)
relationship with her nephew, "the boy." The boy and the aunt used to be very
close with each other until the boy's betrayal. It is not all the boy's fault,
however, in that Aunt Mary never forgave him for his betrayal. The boy
describes the loss of Aunt Mary's dignity:

[Through death] she lost all the dignity he knew her to have.

The suffering of Aunt Mary on her death bed is absolutely conducive to the
theme of pain.

The plot of the story is a fairly simply one in regard to flashback. The first
part of it is about the death of Aunt Mary, and it follows with the description
of the actual "secrets" in their relationship. They used to be close;

She would sit with him on her knee, her arms around him and
holding the page flat with her hand. ... the boy had noticed
the ring when she had read to him as a child.
The "secret" was Aunt Mary's private discussions that the boy became curious
about as he grew older. Aunt Mary valued her privacy, especially in her love
letters to the man she grew to be affectionate towards. Aunt Mary insisted
that the boy never read these, but he read them in their entirety.

"You are dirt," she hissed, "and always will be dirt. I

shall remember this till the day I die."

Aunt Mary lives true to her word and holds this betrayal even unto
death. The irony is "the boy" was still a child when he betrayed Aunt Mary's
trust and privacy. Her insistence on propriety and morality, then, is a bit
harsh. She holds the grudge until she dies. This is extreme. Thus, the boy
(who you identify correctly at "the protagonist," as Aunt Mary is definitely "the
antagonist") can be characterized as feeling lifelong shame as a result.

Delia

Linda

Gabrielle