After reading “Little Annie’s Ramble” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, I decided to try the follow the trail close reading method. While using this method I came to realize that there is repetition of variations of the word “child”; words such as children, childish, and childhood. It seems to have an ongoing theme regarding youth. As far as I understand, during my flat-footed reading, this story is being narrated from the perspective of an older gentleman in the town, which is interesting because I thought it was strange at first, for an older gentleman to just sweep away a little girl and take her around town. I also thought that the explanation of the animals seemed flashy and enticing, but in a way that would be attractive for a younger reader. This made me believe that the story’s intent was for a younger audience, perhaps even being a children’s story.

The follow the trail seemed to be too general so I decided to look into a particular part that caught my attention. Paragraph 3, the last 6 sentences or so, gave off a sense of sadness and the inability to perform in a certain physical way. I also felt a sense of longing for youth whilst reading this particular part of the story. Annie seems to represent youthfulness as the narrator is reflecting on his life and the life he sees in front of him. There’s a sense of realization that older folk can’t exactly do things like they use to in their youthful days. I felt as though the narrator was strongly emphasizing the restrictions that are placed upon elders that stop them from being Annie’s dance partner even if they wanted to. Instances in which he said “stiff with age; feeble with disease; … their bones would rattle,” there’s a heavy sense of solemness in these words.

Additionally, when the narrator said, “their hearts are far heavier than lead. It is a sad thought that I have chanced upon” I was given the impression that growing old seems to be more of a burden than anything else. I find this amusing because most people believe the older one grows, the wiser they become, but I get the impression that the sadder they become as well. I personally feel as though this applies to the overall perception of aging and how the older one grows the more they crave for things they once had. The more longing and perhaps regret fills their minds and clouds their hearts.

Excerpt:
“None but myself and little Annie, whose feet begin to move in unison with the lively tune, as if she were loth that music should be wasted without a dance. But where would Annie find a partner? Some have the gout in their toes, or the rheumatism in their joints; some are stiff with age; some feeble with disease; some are so lean that their bones would rattle, and others of such ponderous size that their agility would crack the flag-stones; but many, many have leaden feet, because their hearts are far heavier than lead. It is a sad thought that I have chanced upon. What a company of dancers should we be! For I, too, am a gentleman of sober footsteps, and therefore, little Annie, let us walk sedately on.”