"A Joy That Kills"
In Kate Chopin's short story, "The Story of An Hour," the main character Ms. Mallard hears of her husband's death and experiences, to her surprise, the feeling of freedom and exaltation. At the time this story was written it was viewed as "radical" and a departure from how women thought about their lives. When we read it now, it does not seem as radical as it did back then. What makes,"The Story of An Hour," a radical story for the time?
Kate Chopin wrote this short story to present how times were for women. The main character, Mrs.Mallard had a heart problem. Her sister came to her house one day and had told mrs.Mallard that she had lost her husband. Mrs.Mallard then goes to her room, not wanting to be bothered and she contemplates her thoughts. Later that evening she whispers to herself "free,free,free". Why? Women were not consider human at the time. They were considered "property" to their husband. Mallard had a relief come to her. She decides to come out of her room with her sister waiting outside for her. While they walk down the stairs , Mrs.Mallard husband walks in and then suddenly, she died. Doctors said the cause of death was "joy"
ReplyDeleteSo what did the author mean, "A Joy that Kills" - what was the real meaning of the metaphor?
DeleteIt was radical because Many women at that time were relating to what she was going through. they weren't as superior as men, and that'ts why their husband treated them as their property. Women were't allowed to do the same thing as men. for example, they couldn't vote until the 19th amendment. Until this day, Men has always viewed women as weak, and very delicate. This has always been a big issue in society.
ReplyDeleteI believe you are half correct, because it's true that society have treated women more poorly than men, but there are many men that have it just as bad as women, if not, worse. There was a youtube video I saw. The youtubers friend's ex-wife ended up having to pay him alimony instead of him. If you think that is descriminating against women then you should understand that less than 3% of men get alimony money from women.
DeleteIn the short story "The Story OF An Hour," the main character Mrs. Mallard had a heart problem. Her sister came to her house to tell her about the death of her husband, but she was a little worried about how Mrs. Mallard would react. When Mrs. Mallard heard the news she went into her room to be alone. She was sad. But then she realized she was finally free to take control of her life and live for herself. So she whispered "Free, Free, Free." This story was very radical at the time because women were owned by their husbands and women weren't allowed to get education.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why Kate Chopin wrote this story was to show how times were rough for women. Mrs. Mallard had been suffering through a heart problem which was scary. After hearing the news of her husbands death she was completely devastated. As a result she went to her room, not wanting to communicate with anybody and stayed locked in her room for depression. Mrs. Mallard quoted to herself where no one was listening "free,"free","free." Why ask ? Females were not considered human at the time instead they were considered property to their husband to the point they got extremely tired of being controlled by their husband. After Mrs. Mallard finally decides to come out of her room with her sister waiting for her making sure she is alright, Mrs. Mallard's husband walks in. In the process she died and doctors said her death was caused by "a joy that kills."
ReplyDelete"The Joy That Kills," is a short story that tells us about what women were like in the 19th century. The story showed us that women were considered property and that their husbands owned them. The main character of the story found out from her sister that her husband died, afterwards she locked herself in her room contemplating her newfound emotions and what her life means without her husband. She realizes that with her husband gone she is finally free to do as she pleases. She barges out her door and try to run outside to express her freedom, when suddenly her husband opened her door and shocked her to death.
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