several purposes Willa Cather has in her short story‚ "A Wagner Matinee." The two main purposes of this story are to entertain the reader and to reveal a theme. Before discussing theses purposes‚ back ground on Cather will be given so as to gain as better understanding and appreciation for her writing. Willa Sibert Cather was born December 7th‚ 1873 on a small farm in Back Creek Valley near Winchester‚ Virginia. Her mother and father‚ Mary and Charles Cather‚ had seven children‚ Willa being the oldest
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Characters lead the story in realism stories. They focus more on what the character does and how they interact with their environment rather than following a major story line. A character by the name of Aunt Georgiana in the story “A Wagner Matinee” by Willa Cather revolves around the pigeonholed story line. I view Aunt Georgiana as a dynamic‚ relatable‚ and fragile character that undergoes major memories that give her a wake to reality. Throughout the story‚ Aunt Georgiana reveals herself as a
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about choices. Even the simplest choice could turn a situation around and further affect the future of an individual forever. I found Willa Cather’s short story “A Wagner Matinee” very interesting. It deals with different levels of choices‚ some which might affect the character’s life slightly‚ while other choices may affect their entire lifetime. The way the story is written makes the reader think a lot about the events that occur along the way. It leaves the reader wondering how the situation the
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October 1‚ 2014 Short story essay During the 1800’s there was an increase in immigration to the Great Plains due to an abundance of free land offered by the Homestead Act. Many individuals and families went west to seek their fortune and a home on what was once called the great American desert. Moving westward was a difficult process‚ and many were forced to leave their old lives behind completely. In "A Wagner Matinee‚" written by Willa Cather‚ the characterization of Aunt Georgiana‚ a woman who
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A Wagner Matinee Willa Cather Within a lifetime there are many decisions you have to make. In my lifetime there have not been many big decisions but I have always been reminded that choices you make now will affect you forever. My family has always taught me that you may have only one chance to make the right choice‚ so choose wisely. Most of the time my father will tell me that I have to make my choice by what my heart tells me and what
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In the short stories‚ "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin and "A Wagner Matinee" by Willa Cather a similar theme is portrayed about women’s role. Both stories include the main female role giving up something of great significance in her life. For instance‚ in "The Story of an Hour"‚ Mrs. Mallard gives up her freedom when marrying her husband. In the same manner‚ in "A Wagner Matinee"‚ Aunt Georgiana gave up her passion and love for music by eloping and moving to Nebraska. Here she would spend her
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Vicki Glenn ENG 232 Mr. O September 26‚ 2011 “A Wagner Matinee” It has been said that‚ "Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love is by far‚ the truest type of love.” However‚ walking away from everything that makes you happy in life‚ in order for another to be happy should not be required of love. Relationships should be built on mutual respect and consideration for one another. Although compromise in a relationship is a necessary component for its success‚ denying the core
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Analysis of “A Wagner Matinee” and “The Story of an Hour” On the surface‚ “A Wagner Matinee” and “The Story of an Hour” seem like completely different stories‚ with a dissimilar plot and unlike settings. “A Wagner Matinee” is a story about the effects and hardships of living on the Great Plains‚ and the sustaining power of music on the human spirit‚ while “The Story of an Hour” expresses the constraints of marriage in the 19th century. However‚ after thoroughly reading both stories‚ one can observe
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works‚ O Pioneers! and My Ántonia‚ Willa Cather tells the story of the immigrant pioneer in America. “Willa Cather was born in 1873 in Virginia. When she was a child‚ her family moved to Nebraska . . . novels as My Ántonia‚ O Pioneers! . . . are derived from immigrant experiences on the nineteenth-century Nebraska prairie.” (Hooper‚ 2009) According to Hooper’s essay‚ Cather’s upbringing as an outsider on the prairie inspired her to write about immigrants. She herself felt like an immigrant. Virginia
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In 1896‚ Cather moved to Pittsburgh after being hired to write for the Home Monthly‚[8] a women’s magazine patterned after the successful Ladies Home Journal.[9] A year later‚ she became a telegraph editor and drama critic for the Pittsburgh Leader and frequently contributed poetry and short fiction to The Library‚ another local publication. In Pittsburgh‚ she taught Latin‚ algebra‚ and English composition[10] at Central High School for one year. She next taught English and Latin at Allegheny High
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