REVISITING JESSE STUART’S SHORT FICTION: JUXTAPOSITION OF NATURE AND PERSON

Abstract

 Jesse Stuart is an American regional writer who made significant contributions to the development of twentieth-century American short fiction. His short stories set in rural Appalachia, where he grew up, are well-known. His works frequently address the link between people and the natural environment, emphasizing the contrast between nature’s strength and beauty and the challenges and aspirations of the people who inhabit it. Nature provides as a backdrop for the protagonists' lives in most Jesse Stuart’s short stories. The following paper explores how the author describes the natural scene in amazing detail, capturing its magnificence, severity, and unpredictability in the stories “Another April” and “Love”. This contrast highlights the characters’ connection to their surroundings and the impact it has on their lives. Nature is frequently portrayed as a force that can both nourish and confront individuals, mirroring the human experience’s dualities. Furthermore, Jesse Stuart’s characters frequently find peace, inspiration, and a sense of self in their relationships with environment. They derive strength from the earth, taking solace in its familiarity and ageless quality. At the same time, the character’ difficulties and conflicts are juxtaposed with nature’s immutable cycles, emphasizing the fleeting essence of human existence. Overall, Jesse Stuart’s short fiction examines themes of resilience, the human condition, and the interconnectedness of humans and their environment through the juxtaposition of nature and person.