Эссе на тему: "The symbolic meaning of the apple tree in 'The Apple Tree' by J. Galsworthy"

The «Apple Tree» is a thought-provoking captivating short story written by John Galsworthy, the Nobel Prize-winning author in 1917. The title of the story refers to a real apple tree located in rural Devon, England, where the main characters Frank and Megan ended their relationship. This tree also serves as the setting for the eerie encounter with the "gypsy ghost," which terrifies Megan and adds a layer of mystery to the story. The apple tree becomes a metaphor for their love - once strong and fruitful, but now barren and lifeless. The story is a true masterpiece that showcases the author's talent for storytelling and his deep understanding of human nature. The theme explored in the story is timeless and universal - love, loss, and the human condition. Galsworthy's writing style is elegant and sophisticated, yet accessible and easy to read. He has a way of making even the most mundane situations seem interesting and engaging. The story is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions of characters and settings that transport the reader to another time and place. In "The Apple Tree" Frank Ashurst faces a moral dilemma that leaves the reader questioning what they would do in his shoes.

On their silver wedding anniversary, Frank Ashurst and Stella celebrate at Torquay, a seaside resort town in Devon. Accidentally, Stella's eyes fall on a desolate grave on the moor. She calls Frank's attention to it. On seeing the grave, caught, a sudden ache beset his heart. He had stumbled on just one of those past moments in his life. Frank had a feeling of deja vu, and past memories begin to stir up in his mind. He felt a strong urge to explore the countryside. soon he finds himself transported back in time by twenty-five years, and the innocent countenance of Megan Davis, a Welsh rustic girl whom he had once loved so dearly, starts to dance in front of his mind's eye, and he makes a trip down memory lane. They become lovers and exchange vows under an apple tree.

After courtship, Frank plans an elopement with Megan, and they both agree. Frank plans to go to Torquay to withdraw money and buy Megan fashionable clothes. He meets a stylish girl and seems to be infatuated to Stella who was about 17 years old and started delaying his return to Megan He doubts his feelings for Megan and realizes he loves Stella Holliday. He married Stella on the last day of April the following year.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, making it a thought-provoking read. When Frank dumped Megan he often questioned himself «I love her, but do I really love her? Or do I only want her because she is so pretty and loves me? What am I going to do?» Since the time he had met Stella, he had become gradually sure that he would not marry Megan. Every time Megan's innocent face came in front of Frank's eyes, he conveniently managed to ward her off. He convinced himself that it would be a sin to think of making her his mistress. He also assured himself that in a week's time or two, Megan too would forget about him altogether. 25 years later Frank’s destiny intervened and hurled Frank in front of the memories of the country lass or girl he had so conveniently forsaken. At the very spot where the couple had laid out their lunch, Frank found himself reminiscing about Megan. Thinking about Megan, Frank approached the farm gate and saw the lost townhouse and imagined Megan to be waiting for him under the apple tree. An ache for lost youth, a hankering, a sense of wasted love and sweetness gripped ushers by the throat. He began to wonder what must have become of his long lost love. Then all of a sudden, Frank retracted his steps back towards the point where he had left his wife, for he feared that he might come across some old acquaintance. On reaching the crossroads, Frank is drawn to the desolate grave which had become nothing more than a narrow green mound. He stops an old grey-bearded labourer and starts enquiring about it from him. On being asked, the old fellow begins narrating the tragic love story of a farm girl named Meghan Davis. He also told Frank how, pining away hopelessly for her lover, Meghan had committed suicide on that spot and her last desire was to be buried under some apple tree.

The tree is a symbol that has been used in literature, art and culture for centuries. It represents many things - growth, stability, nature, and even life itself. However, the tree also represents the beauty and fragility of life, reminding us that even the strongest relationships can be destroyed by the passage of time. As time passes, the tree grows taller and stronger, but it also becomes more vulnerable to damage. The same is true for relationships. The beautiful story captures the essence of life, love, and loss through the symbolism of an apple tree. The author masterfully weaves together the themes of youth, beauty, temptation, and grief in a way that is both poignant and uplifting.