- Published: September 17, 2022
- Updated: September 17, 2022
- University / College: Carnegie Mellon University
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 18
Early Autumn (by Langston Hughes) of Submitted: EARLY AUTUMN The psychological state of both Bill and Mary is characterized by feelings of regret. It is obvious the two of them had regretted not having married each other years earlier, all for just the silly reasons that lovers often quarrel about, how insignificant things can often get out of hand. A careful reading of this short story reminds us of unrequited love, that of Romeo and Juliet by the great English author and playwright William Shakespeare. Their sense of loss is magnified by the feeling of not having married the person of their first love, of having families and kids now of their own but it is amplified by the awkwardness of their chance meeting in the busy park in early autumn after years of no communication, each hurrying on the way home before dark.
The autumn season signifies the progression towards a time of darkness and coldness, the season of winter. This also somehow conveys the message of being in the sunset or twilight of their lives already, in middle age and soon into retirement age. The exuberance of their youth had been gone and each of them is now weighed down by their respective marital and familial responsibilities. Their sense of loss is further emphasized by the loss of time, if only they could turn back the clock and go back to their younger days when they were the best of lovers. Both of them are now a bit old, although Mary is older than Bill, since she is the elder of the two.
The setting of the story is unfailingly very depressing, shown by the metaphors of fallen autumn leaves from the trees, “ fell without wind.” The time of day was “ autumn dusk” which is “ nearly sunset” already; a few more minutes and it would be dark as night sets in. It was “ cold.” Figures of speech used, such as metaphors and euphemisms symbolize the regrets of not having pursued their dreams; both are now in the autumn of their lives (Hughes, 2002, p. 364).
Reference
Hughes, L. (2002). The short stories. Columbia, MO, USA: University of Missouri Press.
