Conclusions of Life
Before comparing and contrasting works “I Used to Live Here Once” by Jean Rhys and “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost it is necessary to mention that both of them have the same theme is traveling through life in the broad sense. Protagonists in both works are being always in the motion. They are going ahead through the wood or stepping stones. Nevertheless, in the short story “I Used to Live Here Once” by Jean Rhys, it is clear that a woman is experiencing her spiritual journey after death. Robert Frost in his poem “The Road Not Taken” describes the philosophy of choice that changes all your life. He would love to go both ways, but it is impossible to do. Whether he wants it or not, he has to make a choice of life.
Talking about plots of two works, one can see similar moments in it, as well as obvious differences.
Both works start with the part of recollection. This is an exposition in both works. The descriptions of nature and places add some romantic note into the works. “I Used to Live Here Once” by Jena Rhys amazes a reader by its picturesque setting which is skillfully described by the author. The poem “The Road Not Taken” contained descriptions of the fall which brings the feeling of nostalgia.
The first sentence in the story “I Used to Live Here Once” is an introductory part which says that the protagonist, i.e. a woman, has been there before: “She was standing by the river looking at the stepping stones and remembering each one.” The first sentence already introduces the tone of the work. It is quite nostalgic and melancholic.
The plot of this short story reveals that the woman is on her way to childhood home. She observes the nature and analyses what things have been changed since the time she was there. With a help of familiar stepping stones, she crosses the river without any difficulty. Following the way she reaches a house. There are two children who are near the house and the woman is going to them. She addresses the children, saying “Hello…. I used to live here once”. However, the children ignore her even after she addresses them for the third time. Then the children go home. “Hasn't it gone cold all of a sudden. D'you notice? Let's go in.' 'Yes, let's,' said the girl.”
This is the first time the woman realizes that she is dead and the source of cold is the woman herself.
The climax of the story is the time when the woman addresses the children as it is the most intense. She is trying hard to draw their attention as if the children are familiar to her. Probably their ignorance brings her the feeling that something is wrong. Why are they so indifferent? What makes them ignore her? Probably while addresses the children, she is simultaneously asking herself all of these questions. She has not guessed yet the truth, however, this …