The Place of a Woman in the World of the 19th Century Essay

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During the t9th century, women experienced many social, economic and political difficulties as they were excluded from social life and considered a secondary class in contrast to men. The short stories, The Story of an Hour and The Storm depict two opposite types of women who experience personal problems caused by low position in society. Kate Chopin portrays relations of women with men and their husbands through interpersonal relations and personal values. Chopin portrays two opposite types of women, a happy and oppressed female character, but underlines that both of them experience misunderstanding and lack of support from their husbands.

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In The Story of an Hour, Chopin depicts destiny of a middle class woman, her grievances and problems caused by inequality with men. The well-being of society was derived from the spiritual health of its individual members. Mrs. Mallard has no chance to be happy and divorce limited by social traditions and roles which determine their life path. From the very beginning, Mrs. Mallard, is perceived as a weak person unable to protect herself and resist social problems. Chopin begins the story with the following words: “Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death” (Chopin n.d.). Thus, Chopin portrays that Mrs. Mallard is an ordinary woman who has good health and is able to express her feelings and bear bad news. The case of Mrs. Mallard shows that women were not perceived as independent individuals: “”Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door–you will make yourself ill” (Chopin n.d.). During this period of time, many women were perceived as helpless creatures who needed support and guidance from family members.

In contrast to Mrs. Mallard, Calixta is a happy woman loved and admired by her husband. Thus, Chopin underlines that she was forced to marry this man and had to give up with her true love. Calixta has premarital relationships with Msieur Alee, and when she cried “Bonté!” she released herself from his encircling arm and retreating from the window, the house’ll go next!” (Chopin, n.d.). This story depicts hat women had no right to choose a husband and had to follow advice and decision of parents and the family “The Storm” reinforces the notion that females were the purer and more spiritual than men, and thus were morally superior to men. It is evident that Calixta is unsatisfied with life and with reality. In this sense, she is a victim because she needs to escape from realities of life which she cannot change. Her lover asks: “Do you remember—in Assumption, Calixta?” he asked in a low voice broken by passion. If she was not an immaculate dove in those days, she was still inviolate; a passionate creature whose very defenselessness had made her defense, against which his honor forbade him to prevail” (Chopin, n.d.). Calixta is a victim of social prejudices which destroy human relations and hopes. Calixta alternates between two feelings of activity, optimism, and power and passive feelings of contemplation and despondency.

In sum, Chopin vividly portrays that women happiness depended upon their family choice and upon their husbands. Women had no right to choose their life path and freedom and liberation remained the main values they want to achieve. Chopin tells readers about low social roles of women and inability to become free and independent. Only death of a husband can make women free and bring happiness to their lives. Through happiness, Chopin portrays that life of women was influenced by public morality depended upon private virtue.

Works Cited

Chopin, K. The Story of an Hour. Web.

Chopin, K. The Storm. N.d. Web.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "The Place of a Woman in the World of the 19th Century." December 8, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-place-of-a-woman-in-the-world-of-the-19th-century/.

1. IvyPanda. "The Place of a Woman in the World of the 19th Century." December 8, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-place-of-a-woman-in-the-world-of-the-19th-century/.


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IvyPanda. "The Place of a Woman in the World of the 19th Century." December 8, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-place-of-a-woman-in-the-world-of-the-19th-century/.

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