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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Vickie's egocentrism
- Victoria's old age
- Mrs. Harris' resignation
- Will the Templeton women all become like Mrs. Harris one day?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the development of the female characters in Willa Cather's short story "Old Mrs. Harris" from self-centered youth to resigned adults, focusing on their changing worldviews. The essay also explores the possibility of all three women eventually becoming like Mrs. Harris.
- The impact of aging on the female characters' attitudes and actions.
- The role of egocentrism in the characters' development.
- The influence of Southern traditions on the characters' lives.
- The challenges faced by women in the early 20th century.
- The theme of generational conflict and the clash between different worldviews.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the context for the story, highlighting Willa Cather's importance as a novelist and providing background information on the story's origins. The first chapter focuses on Vickie, the youngest female member of the Templeton family, and her egocentric behavior. The chapter examines Vickie's ambitions, her lack of interest in family matters, and her struggles with accepting limitations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts include: egocentrism, aging, Southern traditions, generational conflict, female characters, worldviews, and the early 20th century.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2017, From egocentrism to complete resignation. The effects of ageing in Willa Cather's short story "Old Mrs. Harris", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/366694
