Control in “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” by Katherine Anne Porter Control, power, and influence are all things people aspire to throughout their lives. As a powerful person ages, however, their power may decline despite their attempts to maintain control. An older person may feel worthless or experience feelings of loss, remorse, or waste. Issues of aging, control, and a sense of waste are something that Katherine Anne Porter's "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall" describes in vivid detail. The story opens with the grandmother trying to refuse her doctor's treatment. The story is seen through limited omniscience, and through her eyes we see that she feels strong enough to take care of herself. She considers the doctor unnecessary and considers herself a healthy woman. He actually tells the doctor, "Get along and cure your sick... leave a well woman alone. I will call you when I need you" (1682). This is the reader's first insight into Grandma's stubbornness in receiving help of any kind. He also considers the doctor disrespectful, making comments such as "that brat should wear knee-breeches" and "I wish you would respect your older young man." (1682). It seeks to command respect by invoking the colloquial language of age equivalent to wisdom and/or the right to be respected and exercise control over one's youth. When the doctor treats her with condescending actions, the grandmother dismisses him. Grandma is obviously dealing with a great deal of feelings of helplessness and is looking for a chance at control. Her age and delirium are evident when the doctor leaves and she describes him as floating. Then he hears sounds that he can't immediately identify, this is another clue to his sanity slowly slipping. The sounds (which he initially understands as rustling leaves or rustling newspapers) are those of the doctor whispering to the grandmother's daughter, Cornelia, in the doorway. Grandmother is very displeased with her daughter's cheekiness in whispering to her in the doorway of her bedroom where there is a possibility that she will hear what they are saying. The grandmother's displeasure with her daughter goes far beyond a mere whisper in the doorway. Cornelia is the closest character to the antagonist in this story. When it concerns her daughter, the grandmother can't help but criticize the way she does almost everything. These criticisms on the surface are simply the reproaches of a fussy old woman.