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Literary Elements In The Locket, By Kate Chopin

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The Locket, by Kate Chopin, at first appears to be another love story that superficially speaks of the angst suffered from separated lovers. However, a deeper analysis is crucial in order to decipher the deeper meaning and themes of this story. The author employs many literary elements that paths the way leading to the unpredictability of the conclusion. At first reading the story I did not see the mystery. However, after re-reading the lesson and studying various other sources, I came to realize that there are many lesson taught which lead me to be surprised by the ending. The themes of separation and loyalty figure prominently at the beginning of the story. The separation occurs when Edmund has to go off to war. He and Octavia …show more content…

The locket is significant because one gets the idea that something important and special is going to be associated with it. The author is using the literary element of foreshadowing when describing the locket. In the lesson, a soldier said, "Thats a charm; some kind of hoodo business that one o'them priests gave him to keep him out o'trouble." This implies that the locket may have magical capabilities. This leads me to believe that the end of the story will have a happy conclusion. Another example in the story that makes the ending predictable is when Octavia and Edmund's father are riding together. He tells her to remove her veil. At first, she was very confused and anxious about this, but out of respect, she does take the veil off. He states, "On such a beautiful spring day one can only believe in miracles." Again, foreshadowing comes in to play. This made me believe that Edmund will return alive. The setting is important. As cited in www.gradesaver.com, "The setting foreshadows Edmund's unanticipated and figurative resurrection. He died in Autumn, but was re-born in spring." Spring is the time when flowers grow and the earth is alive. Autumn and winter signify death and dying until the seasons change once

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