The Jilting of Granny Weatherall Cover Image

The Jilting of Granny Weatherall

by Katherine Anne Porter

Start Free Trial

Student Question

What is the irony in Granny Weatherall's character?

Quick answer:

The irony in Granny Weatherall's character lies in her belief that she is morally upright, yet she dies isolated, waiting for a sign from God that never comes, echoing her past trauma of being jilted. Despite keeping her life orderly, she never achieves true spirituality due to her inability to forgive. Her final irony is that in death, she is freed from the haunting memory of being jilted, as this last sorrow overshadows all others.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

     Part of the irony of this story is that Granny feels she is on her feet now "morally speaking".  However, she is dying isolated, waiting for a sign from God that never comes.  She pleads, "God, give a sign!"  However, "For a second time there was no sign. Again no bridegroom and the priest in the house."  At her death her mind flashes back to the day she was jilted by George.   She feels the grief as she did that day, "She could not remember any other sorrow because this grief wiped them all away."  Even though she kept her life and house in order she never experienced true spirituality because of the guilt she felt and her inability to forgive George. "Oh, no, there’s nothing more cruel than this – I’ll never forgive it."  Granny took her guilt and her secret with her to the grave.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

The dramatic irony in The Jilting of Granny Weatherall is that the main character does not fully understand the connection between her death and her jilting.

The final irony for Granny Weatherall is that in death she is finally free of the haunting memory of the day she was jilted. The sorrow of her final jilting is so great that "she could not remember any other because this grief wiped them all away."

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial