FREE ESSAY ON POWER IN FLATS ROAD

POWER IN FLATS ROAD

The ending in the novel Hetty Dorval written by Ethel Wilson the ending that is created
appears to have little narrative closure to the reader. However, there is the idea that
the ending could be symbolic and relate to other aspects of the novel. Upon a first
reading the ending is not entirely satisfying, yet once one looks at the minute details
that are present in the ending a sense of reflection and realization of the truth in this
novel takes place.
The ending in Hetty Dorval when first read is not entirely satisfying since there is
little closure created for the reader. The reader does not put down the book and think
about the brilliant or tragic ending of the characters, but rather, is left to think
about what happens in the lives of the characters. Since Hetty and Frankie are present
throughout the entire story, and they are constantly interacting with the reader, one
does wonder when the novel comes to a close about their fate. All that is left for
Wilson's audience to understand about the two characters is the idea that Hetty and
Frankie go their separate ways, and a war begins in Vienna. When such an intimate view
into the life of two characters is created, this idea of the two just going their
separate ways is not satisfying. There is still the urge to want to know about what
happens to them in their separation, and in their new lives. Although Wilson's intent was
obviously to end the story in this manner, and by her adding on to the novel would
dramatically increase the length of this short book, something more is still needed in
order for the reader to have complete closure with the two main characters.
Although the ending does not allow closure for the reader, it is possible for the reader
to interpret the novel with some of the ideas that are present in the ending. Throughout
the novel the close ties of Hetty and Frankie are present, even when Frankie does not
want Hetty in her life, she is there. A perfect example of this is when Frankie has
traveled to Vancouver and she is in a jewelry shop looking at some necklaces. She looks
up and across the counter is Hetty examining an expensive pearl necklace. 
"As we leaned across the counter, I looked up, and there, 
across the large jewelry store was Hetty....I looked away 
from her in something like panic. I did not want, now, 
to be enthralled by or involved with Hetty again."(Wilson, pg. 52)
This idea of the constant reunions between the two women could be considered symbolically
to show how the two women do need each other as friends, and how they are more similar
than either one knows. Even in the ending when Frankie makes it clear that she does not
want Hetty in her life any longer, Hetty still shows up at Frankie's apartment looking
for a place to stay. There is a connection between the two, although both characters do
not seem to want to admit it, and by Hetty running to Frankie it can be seen symbolically
that Hetty has now become the child in the relationship. At the end of the novel when the
two do separate on a more permanent basis, it can be concluded that the two are apart for
good and can no longer relate to each other or be apart of the other's life.
By analyzing word use in the final chapter of Hetty Dorval one can also interpret
different meanings of how the ending could be considered significant. By examining the
final sentence in the novel some words present there create a new meaning to the reader.
"There arose a silence around the city, through which only
faint, confused sounds were sometimes heard."(Wilson, pg. 104)
The use of the word confusion in the end of the book could easily relate to the beginning
of the novel, bringing the readers thoughts back to when they first began to read this
lovely tale. Confusion could remind one of the literal confusion that took place within
the town of Lytton when Hetty arrived. There was the confusion between the town's people
since they could not find a past for this women of "no reputation", they did not know
where she came from and were confused by her independence and wealth. Frankie herself was
also met with confusion when it came to Hetty. It was quite clear that she could not
understand why her parents were so quick to forbid her from ever seeing Hetty again, and
why they referred to her as being a woman of "no reputation". It is evident that when
Hetty first takes her place in the novel, what she brings with her and creates for
everyone is confusion, however, Hetty herself gets her share of confusion. Hetty finds
her own confusion when her beloved "servant" Mouse confesses to the arrogant and haughty
Hetty that she is not her nanny, but her mother. This sends Hetty down a spiral of
confusing emotions that she seems unable to deal with, and covers up quite well, masking
her feelings. 
The use of the world "silence" could also be interpreted symbolically to have meaning in
the ending of the novel. Throughout the book, Hetty made it clear that she did not want
people interfering in her life and that she was happier alone. 
"But I don't want a call!" said Mrs. Dorval with a surprised
air, but still in her unhurried way. "I don't want any calls."(Wilson, pg. 27)
At the ending of the story when Hetty leaves for Vienna and nothing more is mentioned of
her could signify the idea that she was finally able to maintain the idea of being out of
the public's eye and has found her solitude. By taking the language used into
consideration, a new understanding of what the ending of the novel could actually signify
is presented. 
Throughout the story the idea of what is foreign threatens the social norm and should not
be tolerated or accepted is presented to the reader. Although the novel does lack closure
in it's ending, other areas of significance do arise for the reader to understand and use
in their interpretation of the story. Although Hetty is removed from the lives of those
who did not accept her, another foreign threat which carries the same ideals that the
town's people of Lytton carried, and that being the idea that those who are not the
social norm should not be tolerated, is mentioned. This new threat, which is not
automatically seen as being dangerous right away, is the German army. 
The novel Hetty Dorval does lack narrative closure to the reader, there is always a
desire to continue on with the life of a character after you have traveled so far with
them in a piece of writing. However, the ending does open up new levels of interpretation
for the reader to take into consideration and does create new meaning for the reader to
understand, therefore creating an effective ending.