Upon first read, Fay Weldon’s “Out of Love in Sarajevo” and Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” have conflicting topics. The former consists of an affair between a married professor and knowledge-seeking student, while the latter consists of the shock and subsequent concept of freedom from a newly-made widow. Reading deeper into the stories reveals a similar sense of family presented in contrasting ways. “The Story of an Hour” guides the reader through a wide variety of emotions as an ill-hearted Louis Mallard was led to believe that her husband was a victim of an unfortunate railroad accident which left a list of names without a life behind them. This story does a good job of outlining the oppressive nature about marriage, especially given
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The story, in relation to Peter, could not be further from portraying an oppressive relationship. Peter Piper, a professor of classical history, and his wife, a swimming coach, “had stopped loving each other a long time ago” (173). Peter, clearly aware of this fact, has found his fancy in a history student. The apparent lack of concern for his partner, and a strong sense of freedom, is clearly indicated by the line “if not with his wife’s blessing, at least with her knowledge.” (172). Peter is, in modern terms, a “player” in every sense of the connotative meaning. While it is generally agreeable that an unhappy and loveless marriage shouldn’t be drug along (especially with the assumption that the spouses don’t have any offspring), it is the opinion of many that one should not be unfaithful in hopes of finding someone better. At least, not while the relationship is still legally bound. These stories have a heavy focus on family presented in vastly different ways. “The Story of an Hour” focuses on the oppressive relationship which is marriage. “Out of love in Sarajevo” focuses on exactly the opposite, freedom without concern for their partner effectively disconcerting previously held ideas of
The story, in relation to Peter, could not be further from portraying an oppressive relationship. Peter Piper, a professor of classical history, and his wife, a swimming coach, “had stopped loving each other a long time ago” (173). Peter, clearly aware of this fact, has found his fancy in a history student. The apparent lack of concern for his partner, and a strong sense of freedom, is clearly indicated by the line “if not with his wife’s blessing, at least with her knowledge.” (172). Peter is, in modern terms, a “player” in every sense of the connotative meaning. While it is generally agreeable that an unhappy and loveless marriage shouldn’t be drug along (especially with the assumption that the spouses don’t have any offspring), it is the opinion of many that one should not be unfaithful in hopes of finding someone better. At least, not while the relationship is still legally bound. These stories have a heavy focus on family presented in vastly different ways. “The Story of an Hour” focuses on the oppressive relationship which is marriage. “Out of love in Sarajevo” focuses on exactly the opposite, freedom without concern for their partner effectively disconcerting previously held ideas of