Ever since the Fall of Adam and Eve loss entered the world and consequently, loss became a natural part of life. In fact, it has become so common that it has appeared in various stories. Ursula K. LeGuin’s “Gwilan’s Harp”, Issac Singer’s “The Washwoman”, and O. Henry’s “The Last Leaf” all contain losses that notably alter the lives of their characters. The most noticeable losses in each story are losses of individuals, such as Gwilan’s loss of her sympathetic husband, the Jewish family’s loss of a diligent and dedicated wash woman, and Sue and Johnsy’s loss of a self-sacrificing neighbor. But, there are also the less perceptible losses of health found in these stories that gravely affect their story-lines. In “Gwilan’s Harp” Gwilan, a harpist, …show more content…
Already advanced in years, the Washwoman encounters an obstacle when the frigid weather causes her health to considerably decline. The loss of her formerly vigorous health triggered the pinnacle of the climax when the return to her employer’s house was delayed. The chaos her disappearance caused is shown in this quote, “For us [her employer’s family] the washwoman’s absence was a catastrophe. We needed the laundry” (Singer). Her failure to return was met with dismay and concern which all stemmed from her striking illness. Therefore, her loss of health, in the form of an illness, proved to play a significant part in building the …show more content…
When the previously ambitious Johnsy is struck down by the dreaded pneumonia and loses her youthful health, she hurriedly abandons any hope to survive. This despair arouses agitation in her caring roommate, Sue, and it inadvertently leads to the death of a well-meaning neighbor. Her selfishness is shown in this quote, ““Dear, dear!” said Sue…, “Think of me if you won’t think of yourself. What would I do?”” (Henry) This section of the story displays that her loss of health happened to impact not just herself, but others as