Reading 2: "Hair Jewellery"

"Hair Jewellery" by Margaret Atwood was unexpected. I presumed what the story would be about based on the title, and I was way off. I chose to use "unexpected" to describe this story because the tone in which I read it was unlike any other story I had read before. There was this odd mix of sarcasm and sadness blended to tell a story. Atwood succeeded in holding my attention with her tone, but also with the emotions she brought forth. At first, I found the story sad and very present, but in a subtle way that was slowly unwrapped as the reader and author progressed. I then found myself hurting for the main character, who remains unnamed, because of her impending, and then unexpected heartbreak, without a sense of closure. Finally, when Atwood began to reveal the reflection of her character studying her youth and romanticism, I was left feeling somewhat confused and sad. Here the character has moved on, become successful, upgraded her wardrobe with which she associates memories, and has a family with someone she loves, yet HE remains ever present in her mind. Does this story aim to remind the reader that while you may grow up, the idealism and romanticism of youth will never quite leave you? Or is it a reminder that pieces of yourself, whether you love someone or not, will always remain with some people scattered throughout your life acting as ghosts no matter how much your situation changes?