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The Valiant Woman by J. F. Powers
MAIN SUMMARY
The Valiant Woman by J. F. Powers
This short story, “The Valiant Woman,” has been written by J. F. Powers. This short story is packed with various comic elements. The dialogues used by the characters here in this story have created extreme laughter among the readers.
This story has presented the moral weaknesses of Roman Catholic priests.
The valiant woman here in this story refers to Mrs. Stoner. She is quite a brave and dominant woman. She has a leading voice. She stays with Father Firman. She controls everything for Father Firman. She manages her father’s every routine. She has had the best time of her life in his service. She is more than his wife. She lives with him, who is quite dominant and determined. She determines Father Firman’s meeting and behavior. She knows quite well what is good or bad for Father Firman.
The story starts with the 59th birthday celebration of Father Firman at his house. Father Nulty has been invited by Father Firman. In most of the cases, Father Firman’s dialogues have an indirect impact on Mrs. Stoner. But she knows how to handle situations. She has strong responses to such dialogues. She is a quite thoughtful woman with perfect use of reasoning. It’s a kind of moral conflict between them.
In the beginning, some dialogues that are used in this story are as follows: These dialogues have created extreme laughter among the readers.
☆ Mrs. Stoner says that she doesn’t like the bishop because he didn’t eat much last year.
☆ Father Nulty says that Bishop doesn’t eat much anywhere.
☆ Mrs. Stoner says that she doesn’t like Father Doolin, who has excluded Ellen Kennedy’s name from his will.
☆ Father Firman mocks the bishop, saying that he goes to the cinema hall with his housekeeper.
☆ Father Nulty says that Fish Frawley has brought a new Filipino maid after getting rid of the previous woman. Father Firman seems quite excited to hear Father Nulty’s dialogue. But he can’t get rid of Mrs. Stoner.
Mrs. Stoner brings cake from the kitchen. After having a delicious dessert, they go to the study room and light cigars. They start talking about bastards and converted people. While talking, a mosquito sits on Father Firman’s hand. Father Nulty says that a female mosquito only bites. Later on, Father Nulty says goodbye and leaves the room.
We can find various comic elements while chasing mosquitoes. Father Firman tries to kill that mosquito. He chases mosquitoes and even slaps himself. When a mosquito sits on St. Joseph's beard, he catches the neck of the statue, which falls and breaks.
Father Nulty’s dialogue refers to a female housekeeper who bites. But Mrs. Stoner prevents him from killing mosquitoes. She says that a female mosquito needs blood for her eggs. Here, she wants to say that she needs money or a job to support her family.
Later on, the game of cards starts. Mrs. Stoner plays like a lioness. She wins over Father Firman. She plays tricks. She says that she plays for the blood, not for the bones. She seems quite bold and challenging while giving this dialogue.
Finally, Father Firman starts reading the Bible, where it is written about the criteria for a church’s father. According to the Bible, a cleric isn’t allowed to stay with a woman who is young or who isn’t a close relative. Father Firman reads this line to make Mrs. Stoner listen many times. Mrs. Stoner is neither old nor a close relative. This line creates moral tension between them. Father Firman is unable to kill that mosquito. It means he is unable to get rid of Mrs. Stoner. He has a sexual relationship with her. She has served her whole life, so Father Firman can neither dismiss her nor give her a pension.
The story has shown the bitter reality of all the corrupt Roman Catholic priests.
COMIC ELEMENTS
The Valiant Woman by J. F. Powers
J. F. Power's short story "The Valiant Woman" is quite humorous. There are many instances of comic elements. The story tries to show the moral weaknesses of Roman Catholic priests. The dialogues and activities of Father Firman, Father Nulty, and Mrs. Stoner are quite comic. In most situations, we can't help but laugh. Mrs. Stoner says that she doesn't like the bishop because he didn't eat much last year. Father Nulty says that the bishop doesn't eat much anywhere. She says that the bishop has deprived Ellen Kennedy of Father Doolin's will. Father Firman mocks the bishop by saying that the bishop goes to the movies with his housekeeper. Father Nulty says that Fish Frawley has gotten a young Filipino after getting rid of the previous woman. Father Firman is excited to hear that. But he can't get rid of Mrs. Stoner.
The most humorous instance is that of chasing a mosquito. A mosquito sits on the wrist of Father Firman. Father Nulty says that only the female bites. In an attempt to kill the mosquito, Father Firman slams himself. He runs after the mosquito and tries to kill it with a magazine. When the mosquito sits on St. Joseph's beard, he catches the neck of the statue, which falls and breaks. Mrs. Stoner says that the female needs blood for her eggs. The card game is also humorous. Mrs. Stoner plays tricks like the female mosquito, and she attacks him like a lioness. Father Firman becomes helpless and loses the game. Mrs. Stoner plays for blood, not for bones. She controls Father Firman and saves various things for him. She says that she has given her best years to him. Now, she is sucking his blood, and he can't think of getting rid of her.
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