Literary Elements In Rumor Godden's Fireworks For Elspeth

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Rumor Godden wrote “Fireworks for Elspeth” after her experience living with nuns in a convent. The story was published in an anthology with some of her other short stories in 1968. This work was full of literary elements, including theme, conflicts, characterization and methods of characterization, imagery, point of view, and literary devices. The major theme of “Fireworks for Elspeth was beauty of simplicity. The theme was implied, and it developed in the story through conflict and desire for greater purpose. It was first alluded to when Elspeth contemplated her efforts to enter an Order. “In ours [Elspeth’s family] you would think no one in the world had ever joined an Order before. ‘They make it seem so extraordinary,’ she had said bitterly …show more content…

The guilt within, manifested by society, confused Elspeth into thinking that she did not care for the people in her life. Elspeth remembered that she was leaving her loved ones and became upset. “‘Don’t you expect me to feel it?’ cried Elspeth, angrily too. ‘Do you think I’m made of stone?’” (507). Internal emotional conflict associated with leaving was difficult for Elspeth to face. Conflict was an effective mode for Godden’s characterization. The main character of “Fireworks for Elspeth” was Elspeth. Godden used direct characterization to depict Elspeth as a headstrong, nineteen year old girl and the prettiest of her cousins (497-498). However, indirect characterization was used more often. Elspeth sought to be obedient as she worked to become a nun. On page 496, she did not want to have a lunch party, but her mother did; she said that not to have one would make the family look bad. “Couldn’t they think it was choice?” asked Elspeth … Mother’s … hand trembled and Elspeth … was smitten. Once again she had hurt Mother–for–for nothing, thought Elspeth. When I’m so happy, why can’t I be generous? Why must I always do it? She thought in despair; do what Sister Monica so often said she must not? Trying to impose her own will, instead of …show more content…

“The hand was heavy with the rings Mother always wore: diamonds, rubies, sapphires” indirectly alluded that Elspeth was from a wealthy family (496). “Colin Crump … whose eyes looked owlish still as they glowed into Elspeth’s” indirectly suggested that Colin was intelligent and wore glasses (508). “Jean looked pretty in her new suit. ‘Is it tomato color?’ asked Elspeth. ‘They call it spring red,’ said Jean. ‘It’s bright tomato,’ said Elspeth derisively and then remembered Sister Monica and said ‘It suits you’” (509). The exchange between Elspeth and Jean suggested indirectly that Elspeth was stubborn, yet was trying to remember to be

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