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Essay On Gwilan's Harp And The Last Leaf

845 Words4 Pages

“Jesus wept” (NIV John. 11.35). Loss, an inevitable hardship for all humans, even Christ himself cried over the pain with the loss of a dear friend. More than just displacement, loosing something or someone brings grief and distress, taking not only the item itself but pieces of those around it as well. “Gwilan’s Harp” by Ursula K. LeGuin, “The Washwoman” by Isaac Singer, and “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry all provide perfect examples of the varying ways loss can appear and the different approaches to dealing with it. “Gwilan’s Harp” depicting long term, traumatic loss following its repercussions through the entire remainder of one’s life. “The Washwoman” immerses readers within the loss, taking more of a lighthearted approach, showing that even temporary relief can change then entire outcome. “The Last Leaf” observing upcoming loss, and how different routes for dealing with loss beforehand play a major role in the result. Overall, each of these stories bring light to the many outcomes of loss, both its consequences and advantages. Ursula K LeGuin’s short story “Gwilan’s Harp,” provides a window into the desolate ramifications of a tragic loss, and its long-term effects. Gwilan, a masterful harpist, inherited a …show more content…

“Gwilan’s Harp” observing the extremes of loss, and how it can have life changing effects. “The Washwoman” providing a personal view of loss, showing that even temporary relief can play a role in the overall outcome. “The Last Leaf” viewing how one loss may result in another’s benefit, and that sometimes one variable can control the entire outcome. Loss is inevitable, whether drastic loss such as “Gwilan’s Harp” or more lighthearted loss like “The Washwoman,” everyone must deal with it at one point or another. Regardless, people should understand loss for themselves so that when the inevitable arrives, like “The Last Leaf” their will leaf remain stuck to its

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