The struggles of women throughout history were frequently included in the literary pieces of authors in the genre of realism. They might be different, but the common characteristic of such a narrative is the emphasis on the characters’ feelings and emotions evoked by a lifetime of challenges. From this perspective, the stories “The Trials of Girlhood” and “The Story of an Hour” are no exception to the rule. They both reflect on the perceptions of women facing the obstacles to well-being and transmit the message of underlying feelings accompanying their existence.
The principal idea of these pieces is the role of fear stemming from improper conduct, which might lead to severe consequences. In “The Story of an Hour,” it is expressed in Louise’s inability to grasp the meaning of her husband’s alleged death and, more specifically, her future full of unexpected events. Therefore, she demonstrated only “a suspension of intelligent thought” without thinking properly (Chopin 2). In turn, the fears of Harriet Jacobs as per the chapter “The Trials of Girlhood” belong to the reaction of her relatives to inappropriate behavior, which was not her fault. The author claims that the possibility of the master’s conduct “would be reported to my grandmother” was stronger than any other emotion (Jacobs 1). Hence, the common message of these two stories is the inability of women to make correct decisions under the influence of fear while their motivations might be different. As for their purpose, it correlates with this idea and relates to the intention to demonstrate the presence of “powerful will bending hers” as the source of struggles (Chopin 2). Thus, the stories narrate the underlying processes of repression.
The authors of “The Trials of Girlhood” and “The Story of an Hour” use a variety of devices to transmit the message in compliance with the purpose of their writings. To communicate it, Kate Chopin mostly relies on irony. Thus, the emotions of the main character are described as “a monstrous joy that held her,” and the shudder at the thought of years ahead changes to “a quick prayer that life might be long” (Chopin 2). Moreover, the end of the story, in which Louise dies of “the joy that kills,” adds to this impression (Chopin 3). As for the devices incorporated in “The Trials of Girlhood,” they include figurative language and emotionally loaded words. The latter is seen in the “unclean messages” in the girl’s “young mind” when describing her situation (Jacobs 1). Meanwhile, the former is in the absence of the “shadow of law to protect her” and the vices, which “grow out of slavery” (Jacobs 1). In this way, despite the difference in the adopted devices, the presentation of the mentioned idea is clear and efficient.
In conclusion, the stories “The Trials of Girlhood” and “The Story of an Hour” are examples of literary works in realism, which tell about the struggles of women regardless of their circumstances. The reflections of a girl born into slavery intertwine with the thoughts of a married woman who is believed to have lost her husband in describing the role of fear in their lives. This message is underpinned by the purpose, which is to show the need for independence, which leads to their discontent. In both cases, it is efficiently transmitted through irony, figurative language, and emotionally loaded words, which attract readers’ attention to the problem.
Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. The Story of An Hour. 1894 [PDF Document].
Jacobs, Harriet. The Trials of Girlhood [PDF Document].