1. The theme of facing mortality and coming to terms with death is evident in Granny Weatherall's thoughts and actions throughout the excerpt. She realizes that she is nearing the end of her life, as indicated by the mention of lightning, thunder, and a storm approaching. This realization prompts her to reflect on her past relationships, specifically her jilting by George, and her feelings towards her husband and children. Granny's thoughts about her impending death and her struggle to accept it demonstrate this theme.
2. The theme of family and legacy is also prominent in the excerpt, as Granny Weatherall's children come to visit her on what seems to be her deathbed. Their presence serves as a reminder of the family she has built and the legacy she will leave behind. The interaction with her children, particularly Lydia and Jimmy, represents the importance of familial bonds and the impact they have on a person's life.
3. The theme of acceptance and closure is developed as Granny Weatherall grapples with her past and current situation. She experiences a range of emotions, from nostalgia for her lost love to acceptance of her impending death. The act of holding onto Jimmy's thumb symbolizes Granny's search for something "alive" in the face of death, indicating her need for closure and acceptance as she approaches the end of her life. Through Granny's internal struggles and interactions with her family, the author portrays the theme of acceptance and closure.
Read the following excerpt from Katherine Anne Porter's "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall"
Cornelia's voice staggered and jumped like a cart in a bad road. It rounded corners and turned back again and arrived nowhere. Granny stepped up in the cart very lightly and reached for the reins, but a man sat beside her and she knew him by his hands, driving the cart. She did not look in his face, for she knew without seeing, but looked instead down the road where the trees leaned over and bowed to each other and a thousand birds were singing a Mass. She felt like singing too, but she put her hand in the bosom of her dress and pulled out a rosary, and Father Connolly murmured Latin in a very solemn voice and tickled her feet. My God, will you stop that nonsense? I'm a marned woman What if he did run away and leave me to face the priest by myself? I found another a whole world better, I wouldn't nave exchanged my husband for anybody except St. Michael himself, and you may tell him that for me with a thank you in the bargain
Light flashed on her closed eyelids, and a deep roaring shook her Cornelia, is that lightning? I hear thunder. There's going to be a storm. Close all the windows. Call the children in... "Mother, here we are, all of us." "Is that you Hapsy?" "Oh, no, I'm Lydia. We drove as fast as we could." Their faces drifted above her, drifted away The rosary fell out of her hands and Lydia put it back. Jimmy tred to help, their hands fumbled together, and granny closed two fingers around Jimmy's thumb. Beads wouldn't do, it must be something alive. She was so amazed her thoughts ran round and round. So, my dear Lord, this is my death and I wasn't even thinking about it. My children have come to see me die. But I can't, it's not time. Oh, I always hated surprises
Identify three themes that are clearly developed in this excerpt of "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall." How does the author develop the two themes over the course of this excerpt? Be sure to use specific details from the text to support your answer.
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