Loss In Gwilan's Harp 'And'

Loss comes in many forms, and it can last for centuries or mere moments. Nonetheless, it hurts in its time and reason and explanations seems futile, and perhaps, to really understand it, one must wait to see its results. Authors, Ursula K. LeGuin, Isaac Singer, and O. Henry, write of and discuss this very notion in their short story narratives. In the three tales, the authors write of and expound upon two types of loss: identity and human life. The first mode acts emotionally and focusing on the mind, while the second physical and the body. Therefore, the various characters experience loss in two forms, absurdum and mortem, in the following short stories: “Gwilan’s Harp” by Ursula K. LeGuin, “The Washwoman” by Isaac Singer, and “The Last Leaf”
LeGuin, adresses the theme of identity loss. Gwilan, the protagonist and famed harpist, endures many an ordeal, leading to her eventual loss of husband and inability to play her joy and source of income—her harp. Interestingly however, while LeGuin sprinkles this second form physical, human loss, throughout the entire story, she focuses more intently and emphasizes on the first more emotional mode. At the climax and resolution, all events culminate when Gwilan rediscovers and reflects on her life stating “I thought my harp was myself. But it was not. It was destroyed, I was not. I thought Tom’s wife was myself, but she was not. He is dead, l am not” (LeGuin). During this moment, Gwilan ponders her every pain and loss and ultimately finds meaning and her identity among it
Henry recommences the conversation on the theme of loss. Its mode comes once again in the loss of life, persisting in a material and physical form. Beginning in late nineteenth century Greenwich, New York, two young, effervescent women, Sue and Johnsy, venture and pursue their artistic dreams. Unfortunately, the unforeseen introduction of pneumonia into Johnsy’s health interrupts such intentions, and her hope dwindles into despondency. However, because of a sacrificial act by their dear but rather cantankerous neighbor, Old Behrman, Johnsy manages to live, claiming victory from the jaws of death. As Johnsy recovers, Sue states that “Old Behrman died of pneumonia today at the hospital” (Henry). Continuing, she relates the details of Old Behrman’s selfless and admirable act that so ironically took his life and to give Johnsy hers. This theme once again shows the beauty and life that even loss can