The Little Store

Eudora Welty establishes wastes no time establishing the nostalgic tone of the essay. The essay takes the form of various flashbacks. While the entire thing concerns her frequent journey to the "Little Store" and back, it begins with a description of her mother, who was often responsible for sending her on her way. The trip through Welty's memories reflect the nature of her walks. We follow her from place to place, as she occasionally goes off on small tangents to describe something she would see on the way there, or the inside of the store itself. It's clear that she treasures these moments; the essay has a self-indulgent quality about it at times. It's through her careful recollections of her childlike fascinations that we understand and relate to her nostalgic tone. Honestly, some aspects of the store don't sound all that great. You couldn't buy your own drink can, the floor s were wet with pickle juice, and there may have been mice skittering around. She goes the extra mile to infuse a good deal of childish simplicity, from her descriptions of the store to her explanation that Cracker Jacks were for cold days, and cold drinks on hot ones. The essay's strongest facet is our understanding of the sentimental value this place holds.

The photograph Welty has taken of a shopkeeper The man presents himself as someone very punctual, mainly due to the stern expression on his face and the neat, tight work clothes he wears. I also detect a bit of pride, captured in the photo by the positioning of his product. His fruits are being presented to the world, and his left hand is placed over one. He's even propped himself up on the table to get closer. The telephone, calendar, clothes, and setting all contribute to make the time period clear. The fact that the photo is shot in black and white, coupled with the shadows that fit themselves into the various corners give the photo an empty feeling.