In Jessamyn West’s story, “The Lesson” there is a theme following how all death is eminent. John Thomas is a thirteen year old boy living in California with his father, sister Jo, housekeeper Mrs. Henny, and cow Curly. The story does not entail how his mother died, but that her death is a major factor in the theme of the story about how it affects each character. The story also makes the lesson seem directed toward John Thomas by accepting the death of his beloved show cow. However it is actually about his sister Jo, and how her father’s lesson brings her to change the journey she is on.
Josephine, or Jo does not enter the story until after the first paragraph, which immediately lead readers to assume that John Thomas was the protagonist, little did they know it was Jo all along. She clearly has taken on the role of her mother, by means of caring for John Thomas. In line 23 Jo says, “...you’ll be spending some …show more content…
John Thomas learned the lesson hardest at the end of the story when he was forced to auction Curly to a meat processor. The pain of loss he felt having to give up his best friend is similar to what his father felt during the loss of his wife. Jo who watched this event unfold was filled with fear for her future happiness with her beloved boyfriend Nikki. When her father said, “Oh love!,... it's better to learn to say goodbye early than late…” in line 36-37, Jo took this as a warning. Her father lost his wife, her brother lost his best friend, and now it was her turn to learn the lesson as well. However she refused to follow the path that her family was on, she refused to be apart of that journey. Jo’s father made her believe she would eventually lose Nikki, just like the others but she created a new journey for herself the moment she got into the driver's seat of her father's
Josephine, or Jo does not enter the story until after the first paragraph, which immediately lead readers to assume that John Thomas was the protagonist, little did they know it was Jo all along. She clearly has taken on the role of her mother, by means of caring for John Thomas. In line 23 Jo says, “...you’ll be spending some …show more content…
John Thomas learned the lesson hardest at the end of the story when he was forced to auction Curly to a meat processor. The pain of loss he felt having to give up his best friend is similar to what his father felt during the loss of his wife. Jo who watched this event unfold was filled with fear for her future happiness with her beloved boyfriend Nikki. When her father said, “Oh love!,... it's better to learn to say goodbye early than late…” in line 36-37, Jo took this as a warning. Her father lost his wife, her brother lost his best friend, and now it was her turn to learn the lesson as well. However she refused to follow the path that her family was on, she refused to be apart of that journey. Jo’s father made her believe she would eventually lose Nikki, just like the others but she created a new journey for herself the moment she got into the driver's seat of her father's