Comparing The Last Leaf 'And Gwilan's Harp'

An emotion felt by anyone who loves, loss comes in all different shapes and sizes. For most, loss through death hurts the most, depending on how close the relationship. Due to its relatability, loss through death often presents itself as the theme of bestselling stories. From “Gwilan’s Harp” by Ursula K. Le Guin, to “The Washwoman” by Isaac Singer, and finally “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry, death possesses as a conflict characters must overcome. In “Gwilan’s Harp” death of a spouse forces the main protagonist to find her own identity. Despite the different religious backgrounds the loss of the washwoman impacts the narrator of “The Washwoman” in a way which changes his perspective of people forever. A tragic, lonely departure leads to life in “The Last Leaf” due to the sacrifice of Behrman.

Drawing a reader back into the Middle Ages, Ursula K. Le Guin engages the imagination with “Gwilan’s Harp”. After thirty years of marriage Gwilan’s husband dies. Up to then Gwilan had been identified as Torm Vale’s wife. Without him she was nobody. While standing by her husband’s deathbed Gwilan realizes she must now make a life for herself. “I thought Torm’s wife was myself, but she was not… I have nothing left at all now but myself” (Le Guin). Essentially the loss of her husband was the beginning of Gwilan’s new identity.

Her last acts on earth were returning the final loads of laundry to each of her clients. This determination awes the young Jewish boy, a member of the family she washes for. “I cannot imagine paradise without this Gentile washwoman” (Singer). Religion plays no role in this young Jew’s mind when it comes to the worthiness of the washwoman. In his mind he knows she will be rewarded. Though death took her the washwoman triumphantly entered the Kingdom of God since her hard work and perseverance paid