On the Gull's Road

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well as to create a feeling of a dialogue. From the perspective of the narrator, he felt this emotion rise during his interaction with Alexandra in the ship.

Another evident theme portrayed by Cather in the story corresponds to the obligations that comes with love. This can particularly be seen with the reactions of Alexandra Ebbling as she continues to find ways to stick with her duties to her husband Lars. Despite the supposed extra-marital affairs and lack of romantic flame between the couple, Alexandra continued to fight for the faith and devotions of their marriage. Equally, readers are often associate Alexandra’s marriage to be arranged and do not necessarily reflect what she feels. She mentions this in the story by highlighting, "sometimes it is given in marriage, and sometimes it is given in love, but oftener it is never given at all” (Cather 10). This quote surmises how Mrs. Ebbling feels about her priorities, including marriage. Altogether, despite the temptations of escaping with the narrator and her personal feelings, Alexandra chose to stick to her obligation and duty as a wife.

Alexandra has opened her heart to the artist and the two of them have fallen in love. They have once contemplated about their future together, but Alexandra has brushed those dreams off, saying that she will not long enough to live and will instead make his life unbearable.She sacrifice to let go of her true love. She letting go of the love for him because she knows her life will end soon. She made the decision not to run away because she does not want the narrator to see her in pain and not to fall in love with her even deeper because it will hurt him seeing her dying slowly. Instead, she only left him with the brightest memories of her. The depth of Alexandra’s pain and sacrifice is clearly visible in the following lines, “When one loves like that, it is enough, somehow. …That is why I can live without you, and die without you” gives the readers an insight into the future of the characters. They show the readers the emotional state of the characters who are to make a life-changing decision.We can already guess that in order to safeguard the artist’s future and leave him only the brightest memories of her, Alexandra is not going to fight for their love. Alexsandra highlighted, “I am willing to suffer whatever I must suffer…”; “You forget that that I am too ill” ( Cather 11). Its creates an impression of a person who is equally concerned both for her own well-being and for the well-being of her beloved one.Walking away from someone, loving them , just to grant them a chance to be happy is basically impossible for an ordinary human being.

All things considered, “On the Gull’s Road” it is a must for those who believe that love is the most important things worth living for. Love connects the present and the past in the story as well as in real life. One should always keep in mind that he doesn’t have to live up to someone’s expectations to be loved, as the true love accepts one as he is. That is why having found someone who accepts you with all your flaws and insecurities means that you should never let go of their hand. The main character of the story has sadly done it and will live with the consequences of his choice the rest of his life, blaming himself and not enjoying his life without the one he still deeply loves. Be brave, be strong, be persistent. Never give up on your love however hard it is. That is what Willa Cather wanted to make us do by writing this timeless tale of love,