My background isn't strong in mythology, and I felt I couldn't enjoy these stories to the same extent as Daniele Pitavy-Souques. That is true but he provides enough of the mythology to give me a better understanding of this collection. Once I read his criticisms, I saw that Welty did structure this collection according to the method he suggested. This criticism helped me to see that Welty was once again continuing familiar themes. Life is definitely complex and full of duality.
Life is full of heart ache and separateness.
There can be horror in comedy and laughter in tragedy. Life is filled with endless repetition. These kinds of themes I can understand and this criticism showed me that Welty is repeating many of the same themes with the use of mythology. The Structure of The Golden Apples .