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The Washwoman And The Last Leaf

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Through the three poetically written short stories, “Gwillan’s Harp” by Ursula K. LeGuin, “The Washwoman” by Isaac Bashevis Singer, and “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry, one can obviously observe the difference between characters, plotlines, and writing styles. The single common factor that stands out in all three stories, which causes the reader a great deal of sorrow, questioning, and learning, is loss. It touches each story in an engaging way and grips the heart of the reader in order to teach a thematic message. As loss usually antecedes an ultimate redemption, each short story follows the tragic loss with a moral, and sometimes unexpected conclusion. The descriptive and unique voice of each author not only transports, but transforms the reader, through the three tales of loss. Like water seeping into a boat, so does loss disrupt the lives of the many characters that make up, “Gwillan’s Harp”, “The Washwoman”, and “The Last Leaf”. The story …show more content…

Henry, dives deep into the lives of two New York artists who are touched by tragedy. When Johnsy takes ill with pneumonia and comes close to death, Sue is left to care for and nurture her. While Johnsy loses her health and wishes to die with the falling of each leaf of the decaying ivy vine outside her window, Sue loses her peace of mind. “… she (Sue) feared she (Johnsy) would, indeed, light and fragile as a leaf herself, float away, when her slight hold upon the world grew weaker” (Henry). Sue dedicates her time and energy into helping Johnsy when Johnsy proves unable help herself. Only through the help of old Behrman, their drunk neighbor, friend, and a failure of an artist, is hope given to Johnsy to fight for her life. In one unpredicted, amazing act, Behrman not only creates a masterpiece, but gives Johnsy her will to live. By helping Johnsy and Sue, Behrman loses his health to pneumonia, and ultimately his life. The loss of a selflessly caring friend strikes Johnsy and Sue which concludes the

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