Reflection of the Jilting of Granny Weatherall

March, 26 2012

Mrs. Long

Creative Modernism/Post.Mod Project

Reflection of The Jilting of Granny Weatherall

The Jilting of Granny Weatherall by Katharine Porter is a compelling, modernistic story that many of us can relate to. Porter makes great use of dramatic monologue to intensely define Granny's personality and sense of isolation throughout the story. The story begins with Dr. Harry as he is treating Granny through her illness and keeping her company. Early on in the story a sense of disillusionment is already set due to the fact that Granny has lived a rigorous lifestyle, she is older and stricken with an illness. Before the story continues all faith of a full recovery for Granny is highly unlikely. Dr. Harry makes frequent checkups on Granny but isn't favored by her because Granny has been through worse illnesses and takes pride in that. She was a nurse and always made it her duty to care for people and keep the environment neat. Porter uses indirect characterization of Granny's actions to emphasize how hard of a worker she is. Through Granny's life, the figures involved did not take her seriously. She has felt kilted by Dr. Harry as he makes odd faces and rhetoric comments to her while she's on her death bed. Granny's first lover George left her at the alter, which left a crack in her heart. In the story, Porter utilizes third person limited point of view to express Granny's thoughts and feelings. The preacher that was to marry George and Granny insisted on killing George because he knew how deeply that event could affect Granny. She's not only hard working but is also hurt and more cautious of hurtful people. Granny lastly got jilted by her daughter who doesn't show up to see her. This really showed disillusionment because when things were bad, Hapsy jilting Granny just made things worse. She feels left off the edge, still searching for that day when somebody will stay by her side and take her seriously. Porter shows a sense that she really just wants to be loved or acknowledged and has been through enough struggle.

I can truly relate to this story because I've been jilted by lived ones many times in the past. Recalling my freshman year in high school, a series of unfortunate events had occurred. That year my parents had divorced, my mother lost her job, and I thought I found love for a girl that thought the same. I felt betrayed and victimized hat all of this was happing to a guy like me. Needless to say as things were already bad, the girl that felt strong feelings for me rejected my proposal to build a deeper relationship. I only find out that over winter break she was with another guy while we were talking. Disillusionment was everywhere and school only got worse as so called "friends" started to hurt me. I promised