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Overcoming Loss In 'Gwilan's Harp'

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Within the short stories by Ursula K. LeGuin, Isaac Singer and O. Henry the theme of overcoming loss penetrates the reader in a thought-provoking manner. LeGuin's “Gwilan's Harp” contains a protagonist who learns the lesson of putting her identity in herself rather than the possessions and people surrounding her. Furthermore, “The Washwoman” exhibits the useful principle of pursuing through life, even in the heaviest of trials. Additionally, O. Henry's “The Last Leaf” highlights the significance of forming sensible decisions versus frivolously hasty ones. Loss brings about feelings of either failure or sorrow in the one experiencing it. Yet, when one finally creeps out of the shadows of condemnation, she takes the first step of vanquishing present disappointment and pursuing hope that lies ahead. 6 Descriptively written, “Gwilan's Harp” portrays a young woman who unexpectedly loses her prized possession. Gwilan can play an extraordinary harp with true elegance whenever her fingers touch its strings, but when she gets into an accident, the harp completely destroys. Not only this, but her wrist …show more content…

Although the doctor frequently visits to check up on the sick girl, he unfortunately cannot cure her because she relinquishes all desires of recovering. Despite her attitude of pathetic encouragement of death, her loving roommate consistently persists in nursing Johnsy back to life no matter what. Counting the leaves detaching from an ivy vine outside her window, Johnsy depressingly decides that when the last one descends, she will pass from this world to the next. Surprisingly, the last leaf never falls. As Johnsy realizes this, she confesses to her roommate, “'I've been a bad girl, Sudie . . . It is a sin to want to die'” (Henry). Johnsy understands her selfishness as the root of her rash, life-altering desire to die. Through overcoming her pessimism, she instead gains her will to

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