Roxanne Dunbar states in her essay, "Women have not just recently begun to struggle against their suppression and exploitation. Women have fought in a million ways in their daily, private lives to survive and to overcome existing conditions” (Dunbar 2). During the women’s liberation movement, women fought and battled to achieve equality and break away from stereotypical norms. Literature is a way to reveal and express the struggles of women express. For example, The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and The Story of An Hour, by Kate Chopin are feminist authors that portray gender equality through literature. In her story, Charlotte Perkins Gilman develops symbolism and irony to reveal the oppression of women in society. Similarly,
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Mallard; she seems to be happy her husband ‘died’. While she is in her room ‘crying,’ she says, “Free! Body and soul free!” (Chopin 2). Her reaction tests stereotypes because usually women are supposed to be mourning for their husband but instead, the main character seems to be relieved. Mrs. Mallard also represents the repression of women as women seek to escape their marriages. Next, Chopin exposes stereotypes when Mrs. Mallard says, “There would be no one to live for” (Chopin 2). This portrays the stereotype that women cannot live without men because men have to provide for women while women only need to rely on their husbands. To end, Chopin uses another element of feminism— equality concerns—to focus on the powerless side of women. It is seemingly obvious Mrs. Mallard has a weak heart. Her loved ones try to break the news in the most kindly way — because society view women as fragile and weak characters; they sincerely make an effort to soften the impact. Furthermore, Mrs. Mallard highlights the power her husband has over her: “There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature” (Chopin 2). Women seem to be frail ‘creatures’ because they are …show more content…
Gilman was able to depict symbolism through wallpaper, a window and a chained bed to the floor. Moreover, Gilman was also able to reveal irony through the narrator’s husband, the narrator’s writing and a nursery. Finally, Chopin was able to express the theme of oppression through feminism writing. Clearly, both the narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper” and Mrs. Mallard in “The Story of An Hour” are women who are trapped in a society where men are in charge of their destiny. Charlotte Perkins Gilman states in her book, “The ground is taken that the human female is economically independent, that she is fed by the male of her species. In denial of this, it is alleged that she is economically dependant” (Women and Economics 9). Women indeed are capable to adapt on their own. Society just needs to acknowledge it
Mallard; she seems to be happy her husband ‘died’. While she is in her room ‘crying,’ she says, “Free! Body and soul free!” (Chopin 2). Her reaction tests stereotypes because usually women are supposed to be mourning for their husband but instead, the main character seems to be relieved. Mrs. Mallard also represents the repression of women as women seek to escape their marriages. Next, Chopin exposes stereotypes when Mrs. Mallard says, “There would be no one to live for” (Chopin 2). This portrays the stereotype that women cannot live without men because men have to provide for women while women only need to rely on their husbands. To end, Chopin uses another element of feminism— equality concerns—to focus on the powerless side of women. It is seemingly obvious Mrs. Mallard has a weak heart. Her loved ones try to break the news in the most kindly way — because society view women as fragile and weak characters; they sincerely make an effort to soften the impact. Furthermore, Mrs. Mallard highlights the power her husband has over her: “There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature” (Chopin 2). Women seem to be frail ‘creatures’ because they are …show more content…
Gilman was able to depict symbolism through wallpaper, a window and a chained bed to the floor. Moreover, Gilman was also able to reveal irony through the narrator’s husband, the narrator’s writing and a nursery. Finally, Chopin was able to express the theme of oppression through feminism writing. Clearly, both the narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper” and Mrs. Mallard in “The Story of An Hour” are women who are trapped in a society where men are in charge of their destiny. Charlotte Perkins Gilman states in her book, “The ground is taken that the human female is economically independent, that she is fed by the male of her species. In denial of this, it is alleged that she is economically dependant” (Women and Economics 9). Women indeed are capable to adapt on their own. Society just needs to acknowledge it