BEA - "Love"

Beatriz Rivera

English 9

Ms. Henderson

October 24, 2017

Propped up on Pillows

            In Maxwell’s short story “Love,” foreshadowing is used repeatedly to warn the reader about the young, beautiful, caring teacher’s tragic death. First, the author hints to the reader that Miss Brown will pass away when he describes that she is taking a long time to do a simple task like open a present. “Her [Miss Brown’s] delicate fingers seemed to take forever to remove the ribbon” (Maxwell 8). This makes the reader think of a skeleton. The writer describes her as weak and boney, which is unusual for a young teacher who is only 23. This image indicates she is ill.  Next, the writer gives a clue that the young teacher will soon die when he explains how the children celebrate her birthday. “We escorted (led) her downtown in a body to the special matinee (afternoon movie)” (Maxwell 9). The writer uses the words body and escorted to cause the reader to think about a coffin in a funeral procession. Even though Miss Brown is celebrating a birthday, she will not likely live long. Due to her disease, tuberculosis. Lastly, Maxwell describes to the readers that Miss Brown is close to death when her students pay her a visit. “Propped up on pillows on a big double bed was our teacher, but so changed. Her arms were like sticks, and all the life in her seemed concentrated in her eyes, which had dark circles around them” (Maxwell 10). This makes reader suspect she is going to die soon. Maxwell details that she is soon to be not with us because she already looks like a corpse. She is so weak; she is unable to hold herself up. The author of “Love “utilize hints and clues to notify about the youthful, attractive, warmhearted teacher’s terrible death.