In the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, under the repressive ruling of the patriarchal society, female have been greatly tortured by the lack of independence, and lots of works were published regarding these social defects. Two short stories, “the Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and “the Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, both vividly portray unjust female status during that period. However, two different aspects in these stories ---right of speech and motherhood--- are destroyed under diverse situations, which later lead to two distinct fates and themes.
The narrator in “the Yellow Wallpaper” and Mrs. Hutchinson in “the Lottery” both represent women who suffer from and fight against unjust treatments given …show more content…
Hutchinson. In men’s mind, Jennie is considered to be the ideal model of a woman who is the “perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper and hopes for no better profession.” (Gilman, 336) She follows the traditions blindly and is actually tamed by the society, which makes her in sharp contrast with Mrs. Hutchinson who is brave enough to be the only one in the entire community that suspects traditions. Beside these two controversial characters, for the two characters who share similarities, their fates are determined in different ways, and, therefore, lead to two diverse themes. Under the absolutely unfair circumstance, the narrator in “the Yellow Wallpaper” loses the right of speech and thinking independently. However, through her self-awareness, her fate ends in an optimistic way. Through her story, the author makes the readers ponder over the value of female’s independent existence. In contrast, “the Lottery” evaluates the theme as do not follow traditions blindly. Under the seemingly fair democracy, Mrs. Hutchinson gradually loses maternity as a result of the deficient society. She mentions Don and Eva, her two children, during the lottery in order to decrease her chance of being chosen. Her fate ends in a pessimistic way and leads to a theme that judges traditions and democracy. Apparently, women are the victims who sacrifice the most for the social
The narrator in “the Yellow Wallpaper” and Mrs. Hutchinson in “the Lottery” both represent women who suffer from and fight against unjust treatments given …show more content…
Hutchinson. In men’s mind, Jennie is considered to be the ideal model of a woman who is the “perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper and hopes for no better profession.” (Gilman, 336) She follows the traditions blindly and is actually tamed by the society, which makes her in sharp contrast with Mrs. Hutchinson who is brave enough to be the only one in the entire community that suspects traditions. Beside these two controversial characters, for the two characters who share similarities, their fates are determined in different ways, and, therefore, lead to two diverse themes. Under the absolutely unfair circumstance, the narrator in “the Yellow Wallpaper” loses the right of speech and thinking independently. However, through her self-awareness, her fate ends in an optimistic way. Through her story, the author makes the readers ponder over the value of female’s independent existence. In contrast, “the Lottery” evaluates the theme as do not follow traditions blindly. Under the seemingly fair democracy, Mrs. Hutchinson gradually loses maternity as a result of the deficient society. She mentions Don and Eva, her two children, during the lottery in order to decrease her chance of being chosen. Her fate ends in a pessimistic way and leads to a theme that judges traditions and democracy. Apparently, women are the victims who sacrifice the most for the social