Read the following excerpt from Katherine Anne Porter's "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall"
Cornelia's voice staggered and jumped like a cart in a bad road. It rounded corners and turned back again and arrived nowhere. Granny stepped up in the cart very lightly and reached for the reins, but a man sat beside her and she knew him by his hands, driving the cart. She did not look in his face, for she knew without seeing, but looked instead down the road where the trees leaned over and bowed to each other and a thousand birds were singing a Mass. She felt like singing too, but she put her hand in the bosom of her dress and pulled out a rosary, and Father Connolly murmured Latin in a very solemn voice and tickled her feet. My God, will you stop that nonsense? I'm a marned woman What if he did run away and leave me to face the priest by
myself? I found another a whole world better, I wouldn't nave exchanged my husband for anybody except St. Michael himself, and you may tell him that for me with a thank you in the bargain
Light flashed on her closed eyelids, and a deep roaring shook her Cornelia, is that lightning? I hear thunder. There's going to be a storm. Close all the windows. Call the children in... "Mother, here we are, all of us." "Is that you Hapsy?" "Oh, no, I'm Lydia. We drove as fast as we could." Their faces drifted above her, drifted away The rosary fell out of her hands and Lydia put it back. Jimmy tred to help, their hands fumbled together, and granny closed two fingers around Jimmy's thumb. Beads wouldn't do, it must be something alive. She was so amazed her thoughts ran round and round. So, my dear Lord, this is my death and I wasn't even thinking about it. My children have come to see me die. But I can't, it's not time. Oh, I always hated surprises
Identify two powerful themes that are clearly developed in this excerpt of "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall." How does the author develop the two themes over the course of this excerpt? Be sure to use specific details from the text to support your answer.
Two powerful themes that are clearly developed in this excerpt are the themes of mortality and acceptance.
The theme of mortality is evident through Granny Weatherall's realization that she is approaching death. The mention of lightning and thunder symbolizes the impending storm of death approaching. Granny's thoughts about her death being unexpected and her children coming to see her die further emphasize the theme of mortality. The author develops this theme through Granny's inner thoughts, as she reflects on her impending death and tries to come to terms with it.
The theme of acceptance is also prominent in this excerpt. Granny struggles with accepting her mortality and the fact that she is nearing her end. The image of her reaching for the reins of the cart, but a man sitting beside her driving it, symbolizes her lack of control and acceptance of her fate. Granny's inner conflict is evident as she vacillates between denial and resignation towards her approaching death. Her realization that she wasn't even thinking about her death, but now her children have come to see her die, highlights her struggle with accepting the reality of her mortality. This theme is developed through Granny's thoughts and actions, as she grapples with the idea of death and tries to come to terms with it.