About the short story

Summary

This short story is about Mamzelle Aurelle who is still single at the age of 50. She has never been married. In fact, she has never been in love. She is alone except for her dog named Ponto and her workers who are negroes. One day, her young neighbor Odile has to visit her sick mother, leaving her four children to Mamzelle Aurelle who has never experienced taking care of even one kid. She struggles and complains in watching over them, especially the baby. She pours out her disgust and complaints about the kids to her cook named Aunt Ruby. However, as the days pass, she finds that she actually enjoys caring for them, thus the feeling of emptiness when Odile comes to take them back at the end of two weeks. Soon after they all leave, Mamzelle Aurelle cries so hard, like a man, and she is not even aware that Ponto is already licking her hand.

Characters

1. Mamzelle Aurelle : A single 50-year old woman, Protagonist, Developing

2. Odile : The young neighbor who leaves her four kids to Mamzelle Aurelle, Static

3. Elodie, Ti Nomme, Marceline, and Marcellete : The kids, Static

4. Aunt Ruby : Mamzelle Aurelle’s cook, Static

Plot

a)  Introduction

     Mamzelle Aurelle is described as a strong-figured woman with ruddy cheeks, hair that is going from brown to gray, and a determined eye.

b)  Rising Action

      Odile has to leave her four kids to Mamzelle Aurelle.

c)  Climax

     When Mamzelle Aurelle sees the car which Odile is riding, she feels agitated because the kids have to be gathered.

d) Falling action

     Mamzelle Aurelle is alone again, although she can still faintly hear the shrill, glad voices of the kids who have just left with their mother Odile.

e)     Denouement

        Crying soulfully hard,  Mamzelle Aurelle does not notice Ponto licking her hand.

Setting

a)  Place : in the farm

b) Time : in the span of two weeks

c) Weather conditions : fine

d) Social conditions : good

e) Mood or atmosphere : Mamzelle Aurelle is complaining about the kids at first, but becomes  accustomed to having them around as the days pass

Moral Value

We can't change the situation that we make we just can regret about circumstances that have occurred so don't waste our time to take every chance we get.