The Tale of Two Loves
In two short stories, “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin and “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck, the hidden feelings of main characters Mrs. Mallard and Elisa are brought to the surface at a time when the very identity of their lives is threatened. Through a series of choices they discover who they really are and what they really desire—“good” for themselves or the true good of the other. Mrs. Mallard meets a fateful end after satisfying her selfishness and rejoicing in her husband’s death, while Elisa, whose true love for Henry overpowers her own longing for adventure, uses the same temptation to selfishness to strengthen what is most dear to her, her marriage.
Both of the characters, although they appear happily…