A woman 's ability to obtain both physical and mental freedom has not always been easy. For many years women have been forced to feel like subjects to men, leaving them depressed, bitter, and eager for a breakthrough. Author Kate Chopin is known for consigning feminist issues for many years. On the other hand, Charlotte Perkins Gilman was best known for being a journalist and feminist scholar, she tends to write about the unequal status of women within marriages. These two authors, both give us a brief insight on the effects of a woman feeling imprisoned. Allowing us to gain an understanding of two personal perspectives. Women desire to be set free from the confines of a man’s world. “The Story of an Hour” reflects Kate Chopin’s view of the restraining role that marriage played in women’s lives. As Louise Mallard, feels measureless freedom only after her husband dies. While he is alive, she must live only for him, and his wishes. Her life can become her own again, once her husband dies. She knows that she should feel sad for her husband’s death, but instead she feels extreme happiness because of her new independence. Louise is not a vicious person, be she dreams to have her own life. She desires the opportunities that await her, which she feels are closer in reach the now because of her husband’s passing. Louise also suffers from a heart problem. This “heart trouble” suggests a symbol of not only emotional, but physical pain enduring her marriage. Only when Brently walks in after his supposed death does her “heart trouble” appear, so intense that it kills her. Ironically, Louise does not die of joy from seeing her husband, but actually from the loss of joy. This death gave Louise a taste of a new life, and when that life is taken away, the disappointment killed her. Louise has felt like prisoner for an extended period of time, which is why the extent of her happiness is so great. “She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long.” (Chopin 2) Before Brently’s death, Louise viewed her life with much anxiety, picturing years of unchanging dependence and hardship. The “shudder” she felt was one of pure dread. However, now, she is free. Her independence makes life is worth living. Whereas she once hoped life would be short, she …show more content…
The narrator in "The Yellow Wallpaper" wishes to live her own life, longing to be free from her husband telling her what to do and how to live her life. For Louise Mallard, the desire is much the same. She would like to live away from her husband. This is something that she cannot fully appreciate until she hears of her husband 's death. While she does mourn her husband’s death, she also comes to a realization that with his passing, her own life can be finally begin. She can now, live her own destiny. The idea of women feeling overpowered by men is well represented in both stories. These stories reveal women who are imprisoned, causing mental frustrations and illnesses. All of which would not exist without the dominance of men. Women desire to be set free from the confines of a man’s