Feminist Readings of Weltys The Golden Apples :: Endora Welty The Golden Apples

Feminist Readings of Weltys The well-off ApplesJennifer Thomas writes in her article about a study of succinct fiction done by Carol Ann Johnston. The study targets feminist readings of Weltys writings and focuses primarily on female roles of her works. When discussing The Golden Apples, Thomas determines it was the tour de force, or majestic achievement, in Johnstons study of Weltys collections.In Johnstons study she writes of the self-realized women of The Golden Apples, using character Virgie Rainey as her example. The critical article contends that in Johnstons study, her selection of contemporary critics Daniale Pitavy-Souques and Patricia Yaeger argon excellent choices to include since they had recently assessed Welty within currents of modernism and feminism. She then goes on to critique Johnston for oversimplification of the terms of the stories she is analyzing by citing an example from June RecitalAn untamed old man flaps open his bathrobe, exposing himself to young g irls taking their diffused lessons in June Recital, a display that provides, according to Johnston a blatant repoint of phallic strength, as he attempts to silence the female voice.In the context of the humbug, however, the cashier freely voices her estimate of this old turkey gobbler and suggests he poses no such potent threat. Some of Johnstons most convincing readings concern Weltys appellative with her characters, refuting the assumption that the heroine is the authors stand-in. By keeping her eye on the writer of June Recital, Johnston sagaciously reminds us Welty identifies with lady friend Eckhart, but she writes Virgies story. (Thomas)I strongly agree with Johnstons narrative that Welty has identification to her characters, whether intentional or not. She notes that although she believes Welty identifies with Miss Eckhart in June Recital, she writes the story for Virgie. Consistently in her stories in The Golden Apples, she writes of sheltered individuals within a clo se community. Johnston addresses only the identification Welty has to her characters, instead of digging deeper into relational issues. I find it fascinating that in The Golden Apples, Welty paints a picture of Miss Eckharts life as being ideal, free to follow her own ire and art, which in Miss Eckharts case was her piano teaching, or in Weltys life, her picture taking and even her writing. And at the same time, Miss Eckhart has failed relationships and an overall lonely intelligence about her.