Introduction
The presence of the past, isolation and alienation, epiphany, and disillusionment are complex themes explored in literature throughout the ages. Not only writers and poets but also philosophers pondered the importance of such matters in human lives. Many writers have tried to convey the themes of such eternal issues in modern literature. For example, D. H. Lawrence, W. Cather, and J. Joyce are among such individuals.
In their short stories, they wanted to show the human crisis and how people react to such conditions in life. Meanwhile, they are illuminated from different angles while discussing the same themes. While Lawrence’s story focuses on guilt and regret, Joyce highlights concepts of identity and belonging. In contrast, Forster uses escapism and a search for beauty in the story. Thus, although incorporating the same themes and using trauma, the writers focus on different atmospheres, visions, and outcomes.
Odour of Chrysanthemums
D.H. Lawrence’s story “Odour of Chrysanthemums” contains all three themes of past, alienation, and disillusionment. The work follows the story of Elizabeth Bates, a wife whose husband, a miner, died during an accident. The first theme, the presence of the past, is felt throughout the narrative. The woman experiences various emotions, remembering how she treated her husband (Lawrence).
Elizabeth is guilty of taking her husband for granted, believing he would always be by her side (Lawrence). As the author emphasized, “She knew she had never seen him, he had never seen her, they had met in the dark and had fought in the dark, not knowing whom they met nor whom they fought” (Lawrence). As a result, such a quote illuminates the wife’s sense of regret and her realization that she did not appreciate her husband when he was alive.
Along with the theme of the presence of the past, the readers are exposed to the woman’s experience of alienation. The heroine, Elizabeth, is disconnected from her family and herself since she does not know how to process her emotions appropriately. For example, after learning about her husband’s death, the woman focuses on the flowers, specifically, “a cold, deathly smell of chrysanthemums in the room” (Lawrence). Later, when a group of men took the body of her husband upstairs and broke a vase on their way upstairs, Elizabeth did not want to be with her spouse, but “she went and picked up the broken vase and the flowers” (Lawrence). Therefore, one can see the woman’s coping mechanisms.
Finally, the readers observe the disillusionment of Elizabeth, the moment when she realizes the loss she is yet to endure, and finds a way to live her life and provide for the family. While in the beginning, she said that “there’s nothing to make a fuss about,” now she truly understood that it was a harsh reality and not a dream (Lawrence). The author describes the feelings as “utter isolation of the human soul, the child within her was a weight apart from her” (Lawrence). Now, after the state of denial and anger, she did nothing but “tremble and shudder” against her husband’s neck (Lawrence). Thus, Elizabeth was full of grief, having regrets about not spending more time with the love of her life.
The Dead
Similar to Lawrence’s story, Joyce focuses on revelations and life transformation. However, unlike the previous story, the current narration focuses on the experiences of a young man, Gabriel Conroy. After his wife confesses to being reminded of her love from the past, the man who died from an ailment, Gabriel, reflects on his own life and his place in the world (Joyce).
The protagonist ponders the meaning of life and how soon everything he sees and knows will only be a memory. While looking at his wife, Gretta, who reminisces, Gabriel thinks, “Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age” (Joyce, para.462). This quote shows how much regret the man experiences for not living his life to the fullest and instead focusing on trivial matters. Although this is similar to the story with Elizabeth, where both characters recognize their disillusionment, Gabriel regrets spending most of his life in vain.
As for the theme of alienation, there are additional differences in the stories of Gabriel and Elizabeth. While Elizabeth alienated everybody in times of grief, Gabriel’s self-alienation is a personal choice. He can be seen as an ambitious person who is rather self-centered. For example, after conversing with Miss Ivors at the dinner party, the woman makes several witty comments, leading to the protagonist’s awkwardness and frustration (Joyce). As a result, instead of enjoying the company of his family and other people, “he was still discomposed by the girl’s bitter and sudden retort” (Joyce para.29). Such a quote shows how Gabriel focuses on his own feelings and not those of others, being alienated from other guests.
Finally, the theme of epiphany was explored in the end as Gabriel conversed with Gretta. By observing how some people and events can become only memories someday, Gabriel experiences an existential crisis. As the author accentuated, “his own identity was fading out into a grey impalpable world” (Joyce para.463). Consequently, similar to Elizabeth’s experience, the man saw how he had taken his time for granted and how some things had become irrelevant in the face of death.
Paul’s Case
In the third story, “Paul’s Case,” Willa Cather explores the themes of the past, alienation, and epiphany through Paul’s example and how they influenced his life. From the beginning, the readers can see how Paul isolated himself from others, daydreaming of the luxurious life he could have had.
Working as an usher in Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh, the young men often wondered how rich and elegant people lived (Cather). During his working hours, “he felt a sudden zest of life; the lights danced before his eyes and the concert hall blazed into unimaginable splendor” (Cather para.16). However, after work, he became depressed again and, similarly to Elizabeth and Gabriel, was crushed by reality.
Nevertheless, the presence of the past follows him despite his fleeing to New York after stealing money from work. Indeed, at first, Paul lived in a luxurious hotel, wore the best attire, and entertained himself. As mentioned by the author, he “spent more than an hour in dressing, overseeing every stage of his toilet in the mirror” (Cather para.49).
Nevertheless, the euphoria passed as soon as the theft was uncovered. At this moment, the young man experienced “the old depression exaggerated,” remembering his actual life, routine, and dissatisfaction with fate (Cather para.65). Here, one can see that Paul was disconnected from the world around him and was more focused on his own desires and fantasies, which were still only temporary.
What destroyed Paul’s ambition and dream was the realization that he could not have this life. Like Elizabeth and Gabriel, Paul reflected on his life and place. After stealing money from work, he had few chances to see such an elegant life again. Therefore, the one path left for him was to accept who he was.
Despite a chance to admit his mistakes and return home, Paul saw the limitations in his life, which consequently led him to drop “back into the immense design of things” and commit suicide (Cather para.69). However, one might see that Paul’s story is similar to that of Elizabeth and Gabriel, who all experienced a transformational experience and crisis. Paul was the weakest, not ready to endure the pain of life.
Conclusion
Hence, the authors concentrate on various atmospheres, views, and outcomes despite employing the same topics and traumas. In the first story, Elizabeth is overcome with sorrow and feels guilty for not spending more time with her true love. Like Lawrence’s narrative, Joyce’s story concentrates on disclosures and life alteration. The man realized how he had previously taken his time for granted and how some things in life become meaningless in the face of death, similar to what Elizabeth realized. Willa Cather explores the themes of the past, estrangement, and epiphany in the third narrative, “Paul’s Case,” using Paul as an example of how they affected his life.
Knowing he could not live this life crushed Paul’s drive and dreams. Paul had thoughts similar to those of Elizabeth and Gabriel about his existence and role in the world. Paul was the weakest because he had no idea how to deal with life’s hardships, even though one may perceive similarities between his story and those of Elizabeth and Gabriel, who both went through a crisis and a transforming experience.
Works Cited
Cather, Willa Sibert. Paul’s Case. McClure’s Magazine, vol. 25, 1905, pp. 74-83. Web.
Joyce, James. The Dead. The Literature Network, 1914. Web.
Lawrence, D. H. Odour of Chrysanthemums. The Short Story Project, 1909. Web.