Literature, often has a moral message embedded in it, the theme plays a crucial role to serve as a reflection of humanity’s actions. The concept of free will vs. fate, argues whether an individual has the choice to determine their future in a society that has already cast one’s fate. In theory, fate constrained free will by assigning each individual a role at birth, thus enforcing a stereotype to shape the individual life. On the contrary, free will states that an individual has the right to escape their fate; that freedom cannot and shall not be molded nor destroyed. Regardless of the individual characteristics or background, society ironically encourages free will if they fit with society standards. In “The Story of the Hour”, Kate Chopin
…show more content…
Mallard by subtle clues, for example, of the five characters mention only Ms. Mallard first name is absent. Ms. Mallard is only known by her husband's last name given to her when she wed, her individuality and freedom left when her name change. Regardless of who she was before, her fate was as the wife of Brently and the future mother of Brently’s children. Her reactions to her husband death also align with the expected role of a grieving widow for “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment” and when she was alone she was “quite motionless’’ with a “dull stare in her eyes” (Chopin). Ms. Mallard depicts the ideal 19th century woman; this shows how society can shape an individual persona and action. Yet, it is important to note the diction used to describe Ms. Mallard, and how it portrays her as a lifeless puppet that can only depict emotion when the strings of her fate need …show more content…
Free will emerges from Ms. Mallard, as she paints an image of “spring life” and yet, she fears it and tries “to beat it back with her will” (Chopin). The inner turmoil of Ms. Mallard provides the reader a question, in which one asks; are we, the individual, allowed to escape our obligation to our fate to pursue the individual desire of free will. In a world regulated by a set of rules for each individual, in where a person's social rank determines one's role in society, and where if one break the status qou they are prosecuted and hated – does one have the privilege to choose free will?
Ms. Mallard drinks the elixir of free will, and as a result, “her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body”- she becomes alive (Chopin). The young women one describe as a lifeless doll becomes human, thus Ms. Mallard unintentionally tells the reader that by choosing free comes with the ability of living. Therefore, free will is an essential, and even the death of a love one is nothing compared to having no choice, for what is love to a
Mallard by subtle clues, for example, of the five characters mention only Ms. Mallard first name is absent. Ms. Mallard is only known by her husband's last name given to her when she wed, her individuality and freedom left when her name change. Regardless of who she was before, her fate was as the wife of Brently and the future mother of Brently’s children. Her reactions to her husband death also align with the expected role of a grieving widow for “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment” and when she was alone she was “quite motionless’’ with a “dull stare in her eyes” (Chopin). Ms. Mallard depicts the ideal 19th century woman; this shows how society can shape an individual persona and action. Yet, it is important to note the diction used to describe Ms. Mallard, and how it portrays her as a lifeless puppet that can only depict emotion when the strings of her fate need …show more content…
Free will emerges from Ms. Mallard, as she paints an image of “spring life” and yet, she fears it and tries “to beat it back with her will” (Chopin). The inner turmoil of Ms. Mallard provides the reader a question, in which one asks; are we, the individual, allowed to escape our obligation to our fate to pursue the individual desire of free will. In a world regulated by a set of rules for each individual, in where a person's social rank determines one's role in society, and where if one break the status qou they are prosecuted and hated – does one have the privilege to choose free will?
Ms. Mallard drinks the elixir of free will, and as a result, “her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body”- she becomes alive (Chopin). The young women one describe as a lifeless doll becomes human, thus Ms. Mallard unintentionally tells the reader that by choosing free comes with the ability of living. Therefore, free will is an essential, and even the death of a love one is nothing compared to having no choice, for what is love to a