Alice Munro’s Short Story loneliness lead to happiness through Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage

MS. THORANA. M Ph.D. Research Scholar of English (F.T.) Reg.No: CRE/ENG 22PNOV 842/ 2022, Dated: 11.01.2023 Nirmala College for Women (Autonomous) Affiliated to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore – 641018. & Dr. Aseda Fatima. R Associate Professor of English & Head Nirmala College for Women (Autonomous) Affiliated to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore – 641018.

Abstract

Alice Munro, a prominent Canadian literary figure, was born in Ontario, in the country's southwest, on July 10, 1931. Her skill in crafting short stories earned her recognition as "the master of the contemporary short-story."  The main focus of Alice Munro's works is her depiction of the challenges that women encounter in their daily lives and as members of society. Her female protagonists engage in unusual relationships and encounter unusual circumstances in her works. The majority of her artwork are influenced by concepts of independence and choice. Her female characters occasionally find it difficult to defy social expectations. It is evident how discrimination against women develops when they find it difficult to make their own decisions. The concept of Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, and Marriage centers on the characters' connections with happiness, loneliness, and unexpected life changes. The central theme employed by author Munro is loneliness, which is thought to be experienced by the female protagonists. The three major female characters in this short story—Johana, Sabitha, and Edith—seem to be lonely at first, but by the conclusion, they are helping each other to accomplish their goals. The study's conclusion covered how they overcame their loneliness to receive compassion and how they continued to have positive relationships with other people. They surprised Johanna by making her life pleasant with their humorous letter. Hence, the loneliness problem that eventually results in happiness.