Willa Cather is one of the most important novelists of the first half of the twentieth century. “She was an accomplished storyteller who managed to capture the voice of a country and its people” (Champion). Today, her novels and short stories number among those of the most celebrated American writers of the first half of the 20th century, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Vickie’s egocentrism
3. Victoria’s old age
4. Mrs. Harris’ resignation
5. Will the Templeton women all become like Mrs. Harris one day?
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This essay explores the developmental transition of three female characters in Willa Cather's short story "Old Mrs. Harris," examining their progression from egocentric youth to resigned adulthood. The primary research question investigates whether the influence of the aging process and societal expectations inevitably leads the younger women, Victoria and Vickie, to follow in the footsteps of their grandmother, Mrs. Harris.
- Analysis of generational differences and family dynamics.
- Examination of the impact of Southern traditions on female roles.
- Exploration of individual responses to the crisis of aging.
- Evaluation of the narrative perspective and its influence on character perception.
- Discussion of individual agency versus societal resignation.
Excerpt from the Book
Vickie’s egocentrism
Vickie is the youngest female member of the Templeton family. She is introduced as a 15-year old girl. The characters of the short story are mainly seen through Mrs. Rosen’s view who is the Templeton’s Jewish neighbour. She describes her as someone who is “not pretty, but attractive” (Cather 608). She likes natural and healthy outward appearance (cf. Cather 608). Furthermore Mrs. Rosen describes her as never listless or dreamy or apathetic (cf. Cather 608). Vickie is thus presented as healthy, strong and full of the joys of life.
Vickie is different than the other girls her age. For example, when her mother entertains some visitors in the parlour she goes straight to her room instead of joining them. She is not interested in men, but rather focuses mainly on studying (cf. Cather 601). Through the narrative perspective, the reader is persuaded to see Vickie’s egocentric personality. Mostly, Vickie is seen through to Mrs. Rosen’s perspective. Mrs. Rosen’s impressions, which are influenced by her Jewish background1, alert the reader to Vickie’s otherness. Mrs. Rosen describes Vickie as “a nice child with good instincts” (Cather 605), but at the same time criticises her for never suggesting “wiping the dishes or helping with such household work as happen[s] to be on when she drop[s] in” (Cather 606). Her attitude towards Vickie is shown when Mrs. Rosen says that she hates Vickie’s behaviour so much that sometimes she almost hates the girl (cf. Cather 606). Vickie’s lack of interest in household activities also becomes clear when her visits at the Rosen’s are described. She “strolls carelessly through the dining room into the parlour and open[s] the doors of one of the big bookcases” (Cather 606). The adverb “carelessly” symbolizes her lack of interest in anything except books. Instead of helping Mrs. Rosen, her mother, and her grandmother, Vickie focuses solely on studying and doing what she likes. For Mrs. Rosen, it is important that children support their mother with the household, child care and otherwise respecting and supporting the older generations. This is highlighted by Mrs. Rosen’s reaction when Mrs. Harris tells her that Vickie is looking after her younger brother. She is glad that “Vickie [is] good for something” (Cather 601).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the author's intent to analyze the character development of three generations of women in Willa Cather’s short story, focusing on their shift from egocentric youths to resigned adults.
2. Vickie’s egocentrism: This chapter examines the youngest character, Vickie, whose ambition for education and focus on self-study are perceived as egocentric traits by her family and neighbors.
3. Victoria’s old age: The text analyzes Victoria, the mother, who struggles to balance her Southern upbringing and status as a 'belle' with the harsh realities of household duties and the challenges of aging.
4. Mrs. Harris’ resignation: This section details the life of Mrs. Harris, who embodies the Southern tradition of self-sacrifice and finds her identity defined by her service to her family despite her own unspoken hardships.
5. Will the Templeton women all become like Mrs. Harris one day?: This chapter critically discusses the story's conclusion, questioning whether Victoria and Vickie are truly destined to mirror the grandmother's life or if their distinct paths lead to different outcomes.
6. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes that while all three women grapple with the aging process, their unique circumstances and personal choices suggest that they are distinct individuals rather than inevitable repetitions of one another.
Keywords
Willa Cather, Old Mrs. Harris, generational conflict, female characters, Southern traditions, aging, egocentrism, resignation, narrative perspective, Templeton family, social expectations, identity, character development, life course, independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this literary study?
The work focuses on the character development of three generations of women in Willa Cather's short story "Old Mrs. Harris," specifically observing how they handle the challenges of aging and the shift from personal ambition to social duty.
What are the primary themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include generational differences, the burden of Southern traditions on women, the tension between individual aspirations and family obligations, and the psychological impact of aging.
What is the main research question of the paper?
The paper asks whether the three female characters, despite their different life paths, will eventually reach the same point of resignation as the matriarch, Mrs. Harris, and examines the evidence for and against this destiny.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The author performs a textual analysis of the short story, incorporating the narrative perspective of Mrs. Rosen and utilizing secondary literary criticism to interpret the characters' actions and motivations.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body treats each woman individually—Vickie, Victoria, and Mrs. Harris—analyzing their specific behaviors, their reactions to social criticism, and the degree to which they conform to or diverge from their expected roles.
Which keywords best describe the research?
The work is characterized by terms such as Willa Cather, generational dynamics, social resignation, Southern culture, and female independence.
How does the narrative perspective of Mrs. Rosen affect the reader?
Mrs. Rosen acts as an observer whose cultural background leads her to judge the Templeton women's behavior, thereby influencing the reader's perception of their egocentrism or duty.
What is the significance of the "comforter" mentioned in the text?
The comforter represents one of the few personal possessions of Mrs. Harris and symbolizes her hidden identity and her rare moments of individual comfort amidst a life of constant sacrifice.
Does the paper agree with the story's final prediction?
Not entirely; the paper suggests that while the story hints at a shared future for the women, their individual circumstances and temperaments likely lead to divergent life outcomes.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2017, From egocentrism to complete resignation. The effects of ageing in Willa Cather's short story "Old Mrs. Harris", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/366694
