What Is The Mood Of The Sentimentality Of William Tavener

In the passage "The Sentimentality of William Tavener" by Willa Cather, the events in the plot are ordered in way to build up the relationship of Hester and William. As the passage progresses, the reader is shown the slightly strained relationship between Hester and William, that is growing into a healthier more romantic relationship. Without this order, the affect of letting their children go to the circus would not be as important. Without describing the changes that occurred within their relationship, the title of the passage itself would have no meaning.
The story begins with the one-sided dialogue between Hester and William. Based off of what she is saying, it can be inferred that William disagrees that their sons should go to the circus. She is introduced as a very talkative woman, while William is described quite reserved. As a representation of their relationship, …show more content…
This part of the passage introduces the change in their relationship that is about to take place. A common memory that is positively shared between the two sparks a conversation that reconnects a old bond. Without such a part, the reader would not be able to see how Hester and William began to be close like they were before. This section of the passage represents the change happening in their relationship.
The third part of this passage describes the change that has happened. In the beginning Hester was arguing for her sons to go to the circus. Now, it seems, that that is not the focus of the conversation anymore. In paragraph 19, Cather states "This exchange of confidences tonight... opened their hearts." Instead of fighting, they embraced their shared past and became closer to each other. Hester used to be biased in favor of her sons, but now she has remembered to truly love and respect William. Had this part not been at the end, the effect of this change would not have felt as