Introduction
Taking retrospect at the entirety of one’s life is a challenging task. However, parting with regret for any missteps made during this lifetime is even more excruciating. In “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall,” Katherine A. Porter depicts the torment experienced when being unable to reconcile with a mistake made in the past. By incorporating a unique retrospective point of view, introducing a compelling character of the Granny, and weaving an intricate plot, Porter has managed to convey the pain of regret and the necessity to part with illusions as an unavoidable step t making peace with oneself.
Analysis
Point of View
At first glance, the use of the third-person perspective as the means of delving into the lead character’s past and introducing her point of view is counterintuitive. Indeed, since Granny Weatherall’s recollections are represented as a delve into her memory, the first-person narrative would seem a much more suitable choice. However, the specified approach toward storytelling allows a crucial detail that the alternative does not imply, namely, that one of a critical look at Granny Weatherall’s life. Since the choice that she made as a young woman is depicted as the mistake that she has been regretting her entire life, the introduction of the third-person narration serves the purpose of applying a critical lens to Granny Weatherall’s actions.
Plot
In turn, the plot of the study is uniquely convoluted and nuanced, which creates premises for understanding the emotional struggle of the leading character and, therefore, embracing the depth of her regret. Namely, the plot meanders between the present time and the story of Granny Weatherall’s past (Porter 91). Despite being woven organically into the fabric of the narrative, the recollections of Granny are not linear, which adds to the overall impression of the fragmented nature of her memories and the lack of concern for in her past: “Then Hapsy melted from within and turned flimsy” (Porter 89). Therefore, the specifics of the plot exacerbate the impression of regret and the willingness to revert back the time in order to correct her past mistake.
Character
Finally, Granny Weatherall’s character development echoes the themes raised in the story, especially that one of regret. Granny Weatherall’s attempt at clinging to the past and the shame that it brought her could be seen as the lack of character development. Namely, Granny never grows throughout the narration as a person since she is unable to let go of her regret and reconcile with the mistakes that she made. Instead of accepting her error and embracing her current experience, she desperately seeks consolation in the feeling of sorrow that her mistake caused her: “What if he did run away and cause me to face the priest by myself?” (Porter 88). Thus, Granny’s character could be seen as lacking development.
However, upon revisiting the short story, one will realize that Granny Weatherall’s unceasing focus on her mistake is what makes her character compelling. Specifically, the suffering that she experiences as a result of her unreasonable choices, particularly, betraying Hapsy, can be seen as an important feature that makes her complex and compelling: “Is that you, Hapsy?” (Porter 88). Therefore, Granny’s character supports the thematic subject of the novel, leading to its better understanding.
Conclusion
By telling her story from a rather unusual angle, providing a complex plot, and creating a relatable character, Porter has managed to make sense of regret experienced by Granny Weatherall almost palpable. The third-person perspective allows for a critical outlook, whereas the character development remains nuanced and the plot keeps to be enticing. Thus, the short story in question can be regarded as a masterpiece in character study.
Work Cited
Porter, Katherine Anne. “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall.” K-State.