Marital Oppression in The Story of an Hour Essay example

In The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin, we are introduced to Mrs. Mallard, an unloving, heartless, woman who is overjoyed by the passing of her husbandÂâ€"or at least that is the common misconception. Mrs. Mallard although perceived as inhuman is actually more human than most would like to believe. While her actions may seem questionable or even to be condemned, they are hardly unthinkable in light of the issues involving marriage and the womans role throughout history. The story itself presents a valid argument in favor of Louise as she is portrayed as the oppressed wife finally set free after her husbands death. In the beginning of The Story of an Hour, Mrs. Mallard is just a typical wife. It is not until she hears of her husbands†¦show more content†¦In 1980, the United Nations summed up the burden of this inequality: Women, who comprise half the worlds population, do two thirds of the worlds work, earn one tenth of the worlds income and own one hundredth of the worlds property. However, to make a strong case, it is important to revisit the actual time in which this story was writtenÂâ€"the 1800s. At this time women had essentially no rights, they were mere objects of possession of their fathers and later their husbands. In 1800, patriarchy was still the norm. By law, women were property of their fathers first, then their husbands. Married women faced particular discrimination. (Women). Women could not conduct business for themselves, could not own land, and could not petition for divorce. In fact, Until the 1970s women constituted a distinct legal caste: laws subordinated women to men in the family, restricted womens access to public life, attached womens obligations to the domestic sphere, and denied women independent personhood. (Mink). In todays society where women can now become CEOs of major corporations, enter into contracts for property, and obtain a quickie divorce, the reality of a woman living in the 1800s is not only unthinkable but unacceptable. Yet even so, it is funny and ironic that the typical reaction of students, especially women, after reading The Story of an Hour, isShow MoreRelatedEssay on Marital Oppression In The Story Of An Hour by Kate Chopin1715 Words   |  7 PagesIn The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin, we are introduced to Mrs. Mallard. She is portrayed an unloving, heartless, woman who is overjoyed by the passing of her husband-Ââ€" or at least that is the common misconception. Mrs. Mallard although perceived as inhuman, is actually more human than most would like to believe. While her actions may seem questionable or even to be condemned, they are hardly unthinkable in light of the issues involving marriage and the womans role throughout history. The storyRead MoreEssay A Silent Curse1012 Words   |  5 Pagesevident through the treatment and lack of affection given to the women of the house. Aunt Jennifers Tigers, a poem, by Adrienne Rich and Kate Chopins short story, The Story of an Hour, equally capture the underlying meaning of matrimony. Both literary works have similar themes portraying a womans struggle with oppression, marital burdens and the secret want for freedom. As the poem by Rich opens, Aunt Jennifer is creating a beautiful work of needlepoint. It is through the power of symbolismRead MoreLiterary Criticism of Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour1338 Words   |  5 PagesLiterary Criticism and the Story of an Hour Literary criticism gives the reader the tools to see literature in new ways. Each type focuses on different components of the story and asks the reader to examine a given text for ques. When an analysis is performed in a given critical style, a whole new perspective of the text becomes available. Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour is an account of a marriage in the late 19th century. Mrs. Louise Mallard is identified by her marriage and she allows herselfRead MoreWomen s Marital Oppression By Kate Chopin976 Words   |  4 PagesDismembering Untypical Cases: Women’s Marital Oppression â€Å"The Story of an Hour† is a short story in which the author, Kate Chopin, presents an interesting view on women s feeling in marriages. Louise Mallard is the main character of the story and rather than mourn her husband’s death, she fills with a confuzed joy as she feels freedom from her boring life. Once she finds out that her husband, Mr Brently, is still living, Mrs. Mallard’s heart explodes and she dies from sadness.While the idea thatRead MoreKate Chopin s The Hour1361 Words   |  6 Pagescritics who have analyzed â€Å"The Story of the Hour† has been whether or not Mrs. Mallard was oppressed in her marriage or if she was depressed due to the lack of time she and her husband spent together. Time plays a crucial role in the story, from the time they have spent together, to the period of the story, and to the short time in which the story takes place. â€Å"The Story of the Hour,† is a story written by feminist author, Kate Chopin in 1894 that deals with marital instability from a woman’s perspectiveRead MoreThe Story Of The Hour Identity Essay1050 Words   |  5 PagesWoman with Identity Issues in The story of the Hour As the title suggests â€Å"The story of the hour† is a story written by Kate Chopin which happens in an hour span of a woman. The story revolves around an ill young woman named Louis Mallard whose husband was involved in a tragic train accident. The author developed many themes around the incidents that happen in that one hour, which are very differently interpreted than the usual norm for the times when this story was written. The themes of life, deathRead MoreGender Roles During The 19th Century1492 Words   |  6 PagesWallpaper? Charlotte Gilman’s short story â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†, originally printed on the New England Magazine became the model literature of feminism and women’s oppression after its publication in 1892. Gilman in her short story emphasises the roles of women and their oppression against a male dominant society during the 19th century. According to Elizabeth Carey’s article, â€Å"Controlling the Female Psyche: Assigned Gender Roles† and many other critics, Gilman’s story refers to the consequences andRead MoreA Summary Of The Awakening Conscience740 Words   |  3 Pagesrepresenting the life cycle. The painter projects that the woman will attempt to find her lost identity, or individualism, without her partner, otherwise known as the idea of the woman moving through a life cycle or her next stage of life. In â€Å"The Story of An Hour,† Chopin writes â€Å"[t]here would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with wh ich man and woman believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature† (line 45). At this point, the main character, Mrs. MallardRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of Kate Chopin s The Story Of An Hour 1274 Words   |  6 PagesHaley Morrow Mrs. Crook AP English 25 Sept. 2015 Feminist Literary Theory in The Story of an Hour Women are no stranger to a socially constrained lifestyle and society, especially in the late 1800’s. Women were believed to live a certain way, fulfill certain roles and duties in the household, and to be extremely fragile and weak. This type of culture still exists today but not to the extreme that it once was. Kate Chopin, however, not afraid speak out against the implications of society breaks freeRead MoreThe Illinois Caucus For Adolescent Health (Icah) Is An1314 Words   |  6 Pagessexual health and parenting. Their belief in reproductive justice is an integral part of a broader human rights framework. They believe reproductive justice work must align with other social justice movements to address the multifaceted impact of oppression on at-risk youth. In all of their projects, ICAH focuses on serving marginalized adolescent groups, including LGBTQ, low-income, immigrant, homeless, and pregnant and parenting youth. ICAH currently has a project called Project CHAT – Change, Heal