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Arna Bontemps, through the conventional plot structure of "A Summer Tragedy," masterfully unfolds a narrative that delves into themes of hopelessness, desperation, genuine love between a poverty-stricken couple, loyalty, freedom, and liberation. The exposition introduces the central characters, old Jeff Patton and his wife, Jennie, residing on a farm in New Orleans. Both protagonists, advanced in age, grapple with various physical and health challenges. As they prepare for a journey, the stage is set for a poignant exploration of their complex emotions and the harsh realities of their lives.
The rising action initiates with a poignant moment where Jeff, hindered by trembling fingers from a stroke, struggles to tie his bow.
This simple act symbolizes the physical and emotional limitations they face. Jennie, too, is portrayed as visually impaired and in fragile health, experiencing bodily pain. The anticipation builds as they dress in their best attire, preparing for a journey that is far from ordinary.
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“ She followed all my directions. It was really easy to contact her and respond very fast as well. ”
It is a journey rooted in fear, desperation, and a yearning for something beyond their current despondent existence.
As Jeff hesitates, Jennie urges him to fetch the car, a task that intensifies his internal turmoil. The rattling car becomes a metaphor for their shaky lives. Jeff, visibly trembling, reflects on the trip that looms ahead, a journey that holds the promise of liberation from their seemingly inescapable despair. The rising action unfolds with subtlety, unveiling the depth of their shared history marked by hard labor for Major Stevenson, unfair treatment, poverty, and the burden of unfulfilled debts.
The realization dawns that they are trapped in a cycle of hopelessness.
Jeff's reminiscence of forty-five years of labor reflects the harsh conditions faced by him and his wife. The injustice is palpable, not only in the treatment of human labor but also in the exploitation of farm animals. As Jeff reflects on the past, the burden of raising five children in rapid succession adds another layer to their struggles. Poverty, untrustworthy neighbors, and constant theft compound their woes. The falling action captures the couple's hesitancy as Jennie, overcome with emotion, contemplates the enormity of leaving behind the life they have known.
Jeff, displaying profound love for Jennie, seeks to reassure her, understanding the weight of responsibility that his continued existence would impose on her frail shoulders. The resolution starkly presents the Pattons with limited options, their desperate circumstances leaving them contemplating the unthinkable—suicide. The narrative, at its core, becomes a poignant exploration of a couple seeking an escape from the oppression and misery that define their daily existence.
In the resolution, the Pattons' decision to escape through suicide unveils the depth of their desperation. Death becomes the perceived solution to their insurmountable struggles. The tragedy unfolds not as a mere narrative device but as a reflection of the profound societal issues that perpetuate their suffering. The Pattons' desire for a life free from oppression and misery propels them towards a tragic end, a poignant commentary on the pervasive hopelessness that engulfs their world.
In conclusion, "A Summer Tragedy" by Arna Bontemps offers a rich exploration of themes such as hopelessness, desperation, love, and liberation. Through the lens of a conventional plot structure, the author meticulously crafts a narrative that peels back the layers of the protagonists' lives, revealing the harsh realities they face. The complexity of Jeff and Jennie's emotions, coupled with their tumultuous journey, invites readers to contemplate the broader societal issues that contribute to their tragic fate. Bontemps, through this poignant work, prompts reflection on the human condition, societal inequalities, and the pursuit of liberation amid seemingly insurmountable challenges.
An Exploration of Hopelessness and Desperation in "A Summer Tragedy". (2016, Oct 21). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/overview-of-short-story-a-summer-tragedy-essay
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