Kate Chopin is known as one of “America’s essential authors” (Ollack), she has produced many works including novels and short stories. Her work composed of, the lives of intelligent women. In many of her short stories including “Story of an hour” (SH) and “Desiree’s Baby” she mainly focused on self-discovery and the role of women in marriage. Chopin’s stories was very much welcomed and published by some of America’s prestigious magazines during her era. Between the nineteenth and eighteenth century women were trapped in their marriages. Meaning their feelings, thoughts, and desires, were not cared for. Wives were expected to act a certain way and definitely not to express their feelings. Although Chopin was not the “conventional” wife, she
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This displays that Desiree will never have a voice in their marriage and her freedom was gone. Also, in the beginning Chopin describes Desiree as “soft white muslins and laces” (Chopin) but when she encounters Armand she is “silent, white, motionless” (Chopin), as you can see Armand has a huge effect on Desiree and her wellbeing. This is also an example of the male dominance in marriages, because he didn’t ask for her hand in marriage, instead he sent for her. Therefore, Desiree did not make an independent decision about her life. This detail is so important because, it tells the reader that Desiree’s independency will never exist in their …show more content…
Chopin showed this when she described Mrs. Louise “beat it back with her will” she was fighting the self-discovery because she was not allowed to be “free”. She had been imprisoned so long she did not want to accept her independency, and it was looked downed upon. Also in “Desiree’s Baby” when Desiree asked Armand “do you want me to go” and he nonchalantly replied “yeas I want you to go” (Chopin). Without any hesitation, he said “yes” not wanting her in his presence. For both women to discover their true identity, their husbands cannot be present. For instance once Mrs. Mallard started to assure herself that she was “free”, her husband showed up. Surprised and speechless she died at the sight of seeing him. The last sentence states “the joy that kills” (Chopin p.14) Mrs. Mallard was so happy to be free that when she saw her husband the thought of not having freedom killed her. Not being able to live her own life, she even prays over her new life and to bless her
This displays that Desiree will never have a voice in their marriage and her freedom was gone. Also, in the beginning Chopin describes Desiree as “soft white muslins and laces” (Chopin) but when she encounters Armand she is “silent, white, motionless” (Chopin), as you can see Armand has a huge effect on Desiree and her wellbeing. This is also an example of the male dominance in marriages, because he didn’t ask for her hand in marriage, instead he sent for her. Therefore, Desiree did not make an independent decision about her life. This detail is so important because, it tells the reader that Desiree’s independency will never exist in their …show more content…
Chopin showed this when she described Mrs. Louise “beat it back with her will” she was fighting the self-discovery because she was not allowed to be “free”. She had been imprisoned so long she did not want to accept her independency, and it was looked downed upon. Also in “Desiree’s Baby” when Desiree asked Armand “do you want me to go” and he nonchalantly replied “yeas I want you to go” (Chopin). Without any hesitation, he said “yes” not wanting her in his presence. For both women to discover their true identity, their husbands cannot be present. For instance once Mrs. Mallard started to assure herself that she was “free”, her husband showed up. Surprised and speechless she died at the sight of seeing him. The last sentence states “the joy that kills” (Chopin p.14) Mrs. Mallard was so happy to be free that when she saw her husband the thought of not having freedom killed her. Not being able to live her own life, she even prays over her new life and to bless her