Examples Of Sacrifice In Gwilan's Harp, Last Leaf

The greatest gift anyone can offer is the sacrifice of their own life or a major part of their life. But would anyone feel compelled to sacrifice everything? Each of these stories outlines how the main character must sacrifice everything they have, sometimes including their lives to benefit someone else? Selfless sacrifices serve as a meaningful story that not only provides entertainment, but a lesson to learn. Why did each of these individuals feel compelled to sacrifice what they had? Gwilan’s Harp, Last Leaf, and The Washwoman connect because the main characters all shared something in common; they sacrificed what meant most to them.
Gwilan’s Harp is a story about a woman who grows as an individual when she is faced with difficult circumstances. She built her life around her love for music especially her Harp. After she faces a circumstance that prohibits her from playing her harp, she is forced to rethink her life and

sacrifice her talent. Gwilan’s Harp was handed down to her by her mother and was a special relic among their family. She felt comforted and complete with the harp. It signified her love for music and her connection to generations of musician. One day as she traveling in a cart, she crashes and hurts her wrist eventually ending her harp career. Rather than feel lost because the family tradition is broken, she instead learns to use a more personal instrument; her voice. “I thought my harp was myself. But it was not. It was destroyed, I was not… He is dead, l am not. I have nothing left at all now but myself.” Gwilan could see past her short-term happiness to find her long-term gain. She sacrificed her passion and traditions, so that she could have better opportunities.
Last Leaf, written by, O’ Henry illustrates sacrifice of one’s life may give life to another. A woman named Johnsy is diagnosed with pneumonia. She believes that if all the leaves on a branch outside of her window fall off, she will die. Throughout the story, she learns that there is a different meaning to life, and she does not need to be depressed about life. It takes the humble sacrifice of her elderly neighbor for her to see this. Mr. Behrman painted his first masterpiece, the leaf on which Johnsy’s life depended. This is what caused her to stay alive during the storm. She survived pneumonia, yet Mr. Behrman died. Why did he give up himself for her? In fact, he spoke negatively of her response to pneumonia. “Is der people in da world mit der foolishness to die because leaves dey drop from a confounded vine? I have not heard of such a thing.” Yet, he found it in himself to come to her aid. This example of an altruistic action shows that those who may not suspected, sacrifice without personal gain.
An elder gentile washwoman walked almost an hour and a half to wash clothes for a Jewish family in Poland.

Without fail, she plodded to her home with an oversize load of clothes and returned exactly two weeks later. One winter when the wind and ice were especially cold, the washwoman struggled mightily to take the load home. She however, managed to make it home. The family waited almost two months before the eighty-year-old woman collapsed in the house with their load of clothes. She rested a bit, then headed home promising to come soon for the new load. She never returned. “The wash she had returned was her last effort on this earth. She had been driven by an indomitable will to return the property to their rightful owner, to fulfill the task she had undertaken.” Not only did the washwoman sacrifice her life for the family, but she laid a meaningful impression on the narrator. The wash was such an insignificant part of their lives, yet she sacrificed her life for it. Sometimes people make the biggest sacrifices for the smallest

things.

It takes a lot for a person to look out for others interests rather than their own. Each of these books center around the sacrifice of someone whether their life, or their passion. They had to give a part of themselves so those they care for have a better opportunity. From the talent of music, to their own life, these short stories can give readers their own perspective at their own lives. The story of man’s redemption is based on the ultimate sacrifice himself, Jesus Christ. He redeemed his people by sacrificing his life. Everyone must be willing to die to themselves and place others before themselves. Each of these short stories demonstrated, that the greatest gift given was the sacrifice of what was closet to them.