SOURCE: "The Price of Freedom," in The Lonely Voice: A Study of the Short Story, The World Publishing Company, 1963, pp. 170-86.

O'Connor was an Irish short story writer whose fiction is known for its realistic portrayal of life in Ireland and its detached yet sympathetic humor. O'Connor's critical commentary is distinguished by his insistent probing into the connections between society and individual talent as well as his attempt to analyze the creative process of the writer he is examining. In the essay below, O'Connor examines Coppard's preoccupation with personal freedom and financial security, concerns that the critic asserts affected Coppard's writing technique and inspired his recurring themes.

The saddest thing about the short story is the eagerness with which those who write it best try to escape from it. It is a lonely art, and they too are lonely. They seem forever to be looking for company, trying...