Loss In Gwilan's Harp And The Last Leaf

Loss is one of the hardest challenges to walk through. Why? It signifies the knowledge of having had something. It was held and cherished and loved, before it was whisked away unexpectedly, out of reach. Nothing can bring it back, and only memories of it’s presence remain. The inevitability does not lessen the pain and emptiness it leaves in it’s wake. In three short stories, “Gwilan’s Harp” by Ursula K. LeGuin, “The Washwoman” by Isaac Singer, and “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry, the theme of loss is illustrated through the loss of a family member, prized possession, and a friend.

Any heirloom passed down through a family gains personal value with each consecutive generation, and Gwilan’s harp is no exception. Although she treasures the priceless instrument, Gwilan also generously shares the harp and her talented playing as well. Suddenly, Gwilan’s world changes when she and her harp are thrown out of a cart when the horse spooked. Nursing her broken arm, Gwilan found her harp in pieces not far away, shattered by the impact. Although she finds happiness and contentment in marriage, Gwilan never forgets her lost
Lewis.In each of these stories illustrating different types of loss, we also see the characters go through a period of grieving. In “Gwilan’s Harp” Gwilan mourns the loss of her harp, husband, and then her ability to play any instrument because of her arthritis. Two close friends mourn the death of a gruff yet dear friend, Behrman, who died in the process of giving hope back to Johnsy. While the Jewish family might mourn the washerwoman for her gentle friendship and service, the washwoman has nothing to mourn, for her great burdens have been taken away at last. “Gwilan’s Harp” by Ursula K. LeGuin, “The Washwoman” by Isaac Singer, and “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry are three excellent stories depicting people’s journey through personal