A Comparative Essay between “Story of An Hour” and “A Rose for Emily”
Introduction
The following essay is an exposition that presents a precise comparison of two fictional works, namely Kate Chopin’s “Story of an Hour” and William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily.” Comparing the two actions will bring forth similarities and differences that emanate from the contrast. Analyzing the two fictional works will highlight the different fictional elements that have been used in the two literary works, such as setting, time, and tone.
It is worth noting that in the two stories, oppression and unhappy relationships between the protagonists and male figures were presented. Mrs. Mallard was forced into a marriage that was incapable of fulfilling her desires for freedom. At the same time, Emily, on the other hand, was condemned and propelled by her father to a life void of any male companionship. Mrs. Mallard felt tied to her husband, not because of the absence of “love from him” but rather due to the lack of freedom in the marriage, she thought of being free on the realization that she will no longer be having a husband (Chopin, 2018, p.1). On the other hand, Emily is known to have had a partner whom she wanted but was not available since he had an interest in men and not women.
Despite the notable similarities highlighted above, themes presented by both authors in the two stories are similar. It is important to note that the two stories are known to discuss descriptions of “women with their numerous problems” they encountered in the different societies that they stayed in. Based on the two stories, it is quite evident that women were regarded as being “second-class” citizens, and the result is that they were known to encounter complicated issues such as societal pressure and oppression. For instance, both stories assert that during the era of the “Post-Civil War,” husbands were known to have been supervising women who were not permitted to act on their will without being permission from their respective male companions, a product of the “Napoleonic Code.” the main protagonists from the two stories wished to get their freedom from the men who dominated their lives to have freedom from the male chauvinism in their lives
Also, in the two stories, similar literary elements are used, and they include foreshadowing, symbolism, as well as the “substantive meaning” associated with titles, which were quite essential and relevant for taking readers in unexpected and ironic conclusions. Based on the backgrounds of both William Faulkner and Kate Chopin, it can genuinely be concluded that the authors faced numerous situations like political and social issues that occurred at that time (Faulkner, 1970, p.1). One of the significant similarities or standard features between the two stories is, therefore, the fact that women were not only the major characters but also the two females, namely Mrs. Mallard and Emily in the short stories above were connected through the results that were expected from them by the society.
A similar idea is depicted in the two stories when each of the women makes efforts in overtaking “her freedom” through the use of various ways without any form of success (Bai, Xiaojun, Zhang & Li, 2020, p.613). It is therefore evident that both Mrs. Mallard and Emily stay in societies that are highly dominated by men, and the women in such societies never felt free or even became what they wanted to be in life. For instance, Louise in “The Story of an Hour” and Emily from “A Rose for Emily” both live in conditions which their societies and families have placed them on and therefore, their only wish and desire are finding ways of gaining their freedoms.
Even though the two stories have so many similarities, they also have some differences. One of the notable differences between the two stories is the periods in which they depict. Chopin’s story is known to only last for one hour, that Faulkner is known to describe a range of actions that have indeed lasted for several years. As a result, the quality of life for Louise can only be seen within one hour while that of Emily has been presented through progression and thus making it easier for one to notice the unhappiness that she encountered in all her life (Deneau, 2003, p. 212). Besides, Mrs. Mallard was known to have felt the freedom for only a short time that ultimately resulted in her crying of “…Free!Free!Free!. (Chopin, 2). On the other hand, this contradicted Emily’s case, who unfortunately got her freedom upon her death.
William Faulkner made use of a variety of various fictional elements in the “A Rose for Emily.” For instance, Faulkner made use of the Gothic Tone that was highly influenced or impacted through not only the use of time by the author but also through the characterization of Emily and the “Southern area” (Faulkner,1958, p.2). The use of time by the author is indeed the most vital and skillful element since the story was divided into five major sections in which the first and last parts dealt with the “present time.” In comparison, the 3 middle sections presented details regarding past events. During both the beginning and the ending of the “A Rose for Emily,” the death of Miss Emily is clearly illustrated, and this is clear when the narrative begins with these words “…when Miss Emily Grierson died…” (Faulkner, 1). That apart, the last section also comprises of words regarding the death of Emily, and this is evident in “…for a long time, we stood there, looking down at the profound and fleshless grin…” (Faulkner, 1958. P.5). The three sections in the middle of the story also present specific times after the death of her father that left her beau, the Homer Barron, to the period when Emily’s death occurred. The primary reason why this author ensured the shifts were arranged; this was to explain the narrative and create the Gothic Horror. The heart of Louise pulsated like that of a bird upon hearing about the death of her husband. However, upon the return of the husband unexpectedly, this led to an explosion that resulted in her death (Chopin, 3).
It can indeed be asserted that the stories above, as presented by William Faulkner and Kate Chopin, share some form of similar conflicts and themes but in different ways. It can be genuinely ascertained that the two protagonists are indeed women that have been trapped in marriages that are toxic and in which the society regards marriage as being an essential thing for a woman. The two women encounter death at last author through ways that are opposite. When dealing with the issue to do with marriage and death, it is quite evident from the two stories that Mrs. Mallard and Miss Emily could not be more different (Chopin, 1981.p. 1). This is because when one encounters a situation that presents her hope and joy regarding the future, the other one encounters depression, thus making her only to hold on the past. However, the lives of the two women both end up tragically. It is worth noting that even though the two women pass through different situations, death as a theme and solution for their respective conflicts has been duly presented in the two stories.
In conclusion, based on the above two stories, the comparison and contrast of the two stories give us a preview of two different periods where the freedom of women was undermined, and we are shown the different obstacles that hindered women from being truly free. The two authors use similar literary devices to pass on their ideas and messages in their plots, and this also adds more description to their themes. Although the authors come from different eras, they both produced masterpieces that show the plight of women in society.
Works Cited
Bai, Xiaojun, Xiaotong Zhang, and Yihui Li. “An Analysis of Emily’s Characters in A Rose for Emily from the Perspective of Narration.” Journal of Language Teaching and Research 11.4 (2020): 611-615.
Chopin, Kate. The story of an hour. Jimcin Recordings, 1981.
Chopin, Kate. The story of an hour. Joe Books Ltd, 2018.
Deneau, Daniel P. “Chopin’s The Story of an Hour.” The Explicator 61.4 (2003): 210-213.
Faulkner, William, and Noel Polk. A rose for Emily. Merrill, 1970.
Faulkner, William, John Carradine, and Anjelica Huston. A rose for Emily. Paderborn, De: Verlag F. Schöningh, 1958.