I Used to Live Here Once

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By the end of Jean Rhys short story “I Used to Live Here Once,”’ the protagonist realizes that she is no longer alive. Her return to her old home acts not a walk down memory lane, but as a reflection of her life experience. As the speaker slowly finds her way home, the reader is left with clues that lead to the conclusion that she is not there in the flesh. Jean Rhys’ use of symbols, diction, and selection of detail unify this theme throughout the story. First, the story initiates with a journey of crossing a river on stepping stones. Some stepping stones she finds easier to stabilize herself on than others. This selection of detail is meant to reference her journey of life. On the way she encounters some difficulties, just as one approaches trials in life that must be overcome. Each stone represents a new stage in her life. Another reference to her journey of life is displayed within the details of the road. They are found to be wider than she remembers, however they appear to haphazardly paved. The down trees and crushed bushes symbolize the fact that the speaker was careless in the way she went about making her mark on the world. Perhaps within her lifetime she attained shortsighted goals and made her mark while simultaneously hurting things and people surrounding her. Since the word unfinished is used to describe the road this suggests the woman had not yet fulfilled all of her duties in life. The road is left undone display her life purpose remains left unattained. Shortly after the description of the road, the speaker describes the sky as “glassy”. This example of specific diction relates to the journey of life in several ways. To start, glass is fragile, as is life. The line between life and death exists as a very thin one. In addition, glass has a reflective quality about it. The end of life is also thought of as a period in which one reflects upon the

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