1. Consider Cornelia’s efforts on behalf of her dying mother. Does her mother fully appreciate her daughter? From your experiences and observations, would you say the mother’s response is unusual?
Cornelia is taking very good care of her mother’s needs. She is always there to take care of anything the old woman wants and is willing to put up with her temper tantrums without saying a word in protest. She is so tolerant because “her mother is 80 years old,” and does not want to cause any distress or discomfort (Porter, 1930). Cornelia also takes care of preparing her mother for her inevitable death, calling for a doctor to tend to her, and inviting Father Connolly to council her at her bed rest. Granny Weatherall does not appreciate these efforts, but not because she thinks Cornelia is not doing enough. What she dislikes is the fact that everyone is treating her like a senile old woman. The old woman is a strong individual who was independent for a good portion of her life, ever since the demise of her husband, John. She finds the treatment she’s been giving humiliating, which is often the case with patients in palliative care. It is not unusual, as many take insult at being seen as dependent and vulnerable.
2. Why is Weatherall a fitting name for Granny?
Weatherall is a very fitting name for the old lady, considering all the things she went through in her life. She was abandoned at the altar; her husband died early, she had to shoulder the burdens of raising the family and taking care of many patients as a nurse and a midwife too (Porter, 1930). The woman carried her burdens with strength and dignity; she weathered the troubles and challenges she was faced with stoically.
3. Despite her protests to the contrary, did the Granny ever completely overcome her bitterness at being jilted?
Granny Weatherall never overcame her bitterness at being jilted, and it shows throughout the entire story. She remembers the insult and injury dealt with her very acutely, and she did not forget the name of her would-be groom, who abandoned her at the altar. During her last hours of life, she wants to get back at George and show him that despite his betrayal, she lived a happy and fulfilling life (Porter, 1930).
4. Why is it ironic that Granny wants to see George after 60 years just to tell him that she forgot him? Is she being entirely truthful?
The irony and contradiction in granny Weatherall’s desire to see George and tell him that she had forgotten about him are in the very existence of such a desire. Had she forgotten him, she would not have had the need to tell him that. But her ardent desire to do so only indicates that she remembers George very well, with bitterness and regret.
5. Granny felt jilted a second time at death. By whom?
Granny Weatherall feels jilted the second time in her life, near the very end. The realization that she is actually dying strikes the woman unprepared. The daughter she wanted to see the most did not make it in time, and it felt that God had abandoned her at her deathbed, as there was no sign or symbol from him anywhere to be found (Porter, 1930).
6. Consider Porter technique of storytelling in “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall.” Why does it seem as through more than one day passes from the beginning to the end of the story?
The literary technique used by the author in this story is the “stream of consciousness” technique. It allows the readers to immerse themselves in the character’s consciousness. In so doing, it is possible for the readers to experience the story through the eyes of a dying old woman, who is snapping in and out, relieving memories and past regrets. A number of memories shown in the story are the reason why it appears that several days have passed, while in reality, the story takes place within a single day.
References
Porter, K.A. (1930). The jilting of granny Weatherall. New York, NY: The Modern Library.