Happy Thursday! Hope you are all staying well and feeling good. Today is our second online class! Hope you are all hanging in there.. Stay Strong. You can always make time for a jumping jack, a yoga stretch or a jog.
Today we Will go into ONLINE MINI FISHBOWL!! WHO IS EXCITED?!!!!!!!
Today's Fishbowl: Post your response as a comment. Each Student is asked to Respond in 2-3 paragraphs. Please proof read for grammar and spelling!
I broke the Class UP INTO MINI FISHBOWLS and ARE YOU ASKED TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BASED ON THE SHORT STORY You are GIVEN!!! I broke the class up into groups!
925 class
Group 1: Kate Chopin's "The Story of An Hour"
Fary, Jarbari, Tom, Nate, Deon, Anthony, Channon, Joseph Magrane, Steven
Group 2: "The Storm" Kate Chopin
Alessandra, Nick Andrie, Emily, Kierah, Alyssa, Mirna, Devin, Alex, Deon
Group 3: "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Perkins-Gillman
Joe Esposito, Nick Sementsis, Gabriel, Hector, Nokib, Waldina,
12:15 Class- Mini Fishbowls:
Group 1: Kate Chopin's "The Story of An Hour"
Justin, Rey, Mieles, CJ, Romana, Nick, Jerry Christina, Shantie,
Group 2: "The Storm" Kate Chopin
Salma, Muazz, Max, Emily, Laura, Brittany, Ivana, Cassy, Bismah
Group 3: "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Perkins-Gillman
Kevaughn, Antony, Eric, Mackenzie, Anna Maria, Tom
Fishbowl Questions:
Based on the short story given to you in your group, Develop 2 themes for the story. These themes can be statement of themes. They do not have to be ONE word themes.. BE CREATIVE! How does the author portray these two themes (you as a scholar presented) through characterization? How does the author allow for the audience to understand these two themes as they relate to time period and character development.
Provide at least one concrete example for each theme you discuss. Think of the conflicts in literature. Remember we talked about how there are seven conflicts in literature (hint: Antigone Lesson). Choose a conflict based on your story and provide examples and analysis.
Part 2.. discuss the quote below as it connects to the story given to you in your fishbowl. How does Martin Luther King's quote below correspond with the themes you introduced in your selected story? How does suffering and sacrifice be oppressive? On the other hand , how can suffering and sacrifice allow for transformation. Use the story as an example... AND THEN.. DRAW A CONNECTION to the Outside World!
"I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them."
-Dr. Martin Luther King
Note: Keep in mind "The Storm" is about rebellion and individual expression. Chopin's story was not published until many years later because the message was too unbearable for society to accept. Women during this time period did not have a role outside of their domesticated roles. It is a story of freedom and choice that women were unable to experience due to entrapment.
In "The Story of An Hour" - There is also a related theme of entrapment and fear. Society did not allow for women to be free outside the boundaries of marriage and domestication. Think about the reasons why the main character feels free in the short time she thinks she can live a life of her own.
TYW: There are so many levels of imprisonment, fear and isolation. Think about how those themes might resonate with the story and the quote.
Do YOUR BEST...
Who has Fomo Today?- You can take your best guess and post it as a reply after posting your fishbowl response..
Song for Today :
https://youtu.be/-tJYN-eG1zk
Nothing like singing in the classroom! Of course I can see myself clapping and stomping.. Can YOU?
I know you will all appreciate this one!
Hector - this could be a favorite:)
WATCH The "Iron JAwed Angels" trailer!
YOU CAN WATCH THIS ON NETFLIX! Fantastic Movie.. You saw it Muazz!
Do not Forget to comment on MY SONG!
Thomas Dominic
ReplyDeleteThe short story, “The Story of An Hour” perfectly encapsulates life in the 1890’s for a woman. At this time, women were fighting for unprecedented rights, and faced many obstacles pursuing anything outside of the home. In this particular story by Kate Chopin, two of the major themes throughout are the battle and balance of freedom and repression. Mrs.Louise Mallard is the victim of such repression, as seen by the stark contrast in her own life and her husband Brently. For the entirety of the story, Mrs.Louise much like many women at this time, were confined to the home. She is unable to freely move, and unable to truly pursue any of her interests or desires. Conversely, her husband spends a majority of his time away from the home, traveling on the railroad as he pleases. At this time, Brently could do as he pleased without a second thought, while his own wife was facing social repression at an unprecedented scale.
The notion of oppression or suppression, at this time was almost second nature. However, these feelings were based on the freedoms and civil liberties women possessed at the time. It may come as a surprise but America land of the free was not the case for everyone. Freedom is the most important theme in this story in my opinion. Our protagonist has a moment in which she believes she is truly free upon hearing the news of her husband's demise. In these fleeting moments, she is first filled with grief and sorrow. However, she ultimately realizes what this truly means for her, she is now free. Freedom is so crucial in fact, Louise literally dies the moment it is taken from her, a nod to the fact that this battle for equality was of the utmost importance. One might even say this is hardly a life at all, trapped inside and denied of every aspiration you may possess. Sadly, these two themes persist in our world today. In places like Yemen and Saudi Arabia, the oppression of women is commonplace and often encouraged. We see a woman there fighting for the same liberties Mrs.Louise, Antigone, and MrsChopin were fighting for. Only recently, have women been given the right to drive in Saudi Arabia and they certainly have a long way to go.
Women would have to fight an ongoing battle for the next thirty years before being given the right to vote, but this did not come without suffering and consequence. Martin Luther King Jr has a quote in which he perfectly describes this idea, "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." He urges the people of today, to remember the battles of those in the past. Without them, many people would be living without these liberties we enjoy and often take for granted. One parallel that can be drawn in literature is the story of “Antigone” by Sophocles. In this story, women face many of the same problems and obstacles as in the 1890’s. It is saddening to note that over thousands of years, the progress in women’s rights is so minimal, just until this last century. However, where these two stories become eerily similar is in their climaxes. Both Antigone and Louise yearn for freedom and equality. Although they take varying approaches, the end result is the same. Both women die as a result of pursuing or desiring freedom, once again to symbolize the real importance of this issue and what it means for women everywhere.
I have FOMO
Delete-Tom
The story, “The Storm” by Kate Chopin takes place in the 19th century, when women are expected to just be the perfect wife and stay at home to do all the housework. In the short story two main themes that take place are desire and going against society. Calixta faces desire when she sees her former love Alce. In the story “she glanced up at him the fear in her liquid blue eyes had given place to a drowsy gleam that unconsciously betrayed a sensuous desire.” She cannot hide her desire when it comes to him and as a result she gives in and cheats on her husband. Since she is now married and has a child, society does not permit her to go against her husband and have an affair. She is going against society and rebelling by allowing herself to give in to her wanting Alce. By her rebelling it allowed her to become happy after the storm passed. Calixta is a passionate woman who cannot be contained by the unrealistic expectations of how a woman should act given by society. The time period plays a major role in creating the themes. In this time period women had no rights outside of their housewife role, they were not given the choice to decide if they wanted to get married since it was not heard of for a woman to be single. In modern day a woman is given the right to choose if they want to be in a relationship and it is not expected of them to just stay at home.
ReplyDeleteHowever the modern day freedom of women is only possible thanks to the sacrifice of others in the past. Dr. Martin Luther King once said “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." In the 21st century women now have more rights and equality than compared to the 19th century. They are not expected to just be a housewife and take care of their husbands anymore. The women that made it possible for this had to sacrifice their lives in order to fight for what they believed in. The Storm connects to Martin Luther King’s quote because Calixta sacrifices her marriage and the way society views her when she has an affair. She feels the need to feel beautiful again and Alce gives her that opportunity. She does not think about the consequences that can come from her action and as a result she paints the pathway for women rights to come.
Nick Rella
ReplyDeleteProfessor Brady
2 April 2020
English 101
In the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, there are a numerous amount of underlying themes. Two of the most notable themes are freedom, and the oppression of women. The story is about a women whose husband dies, and the story is the next hour of her dealing with the news. At first, as time passes she is devastated by the news, but then as more time passes she realizes that she has a lot more freedom and that in some ways she was oppressed during the marriage.
One of the many themes in the short story “The Story of an Hour” is freedom. When Mrs. Mallard found out about the death of her husband, she was actually upset, however as time passed, she realized that it may not be all that bad. For example “Free! Body and soul free!” In this instance she is saying with enthusiasm that her body is free. Now she can do whatever she likes to her own body, she is the sole owner of it now. She is also saying that her soul is free. She is free from love. She does not have to care or love anyone else ever again, and to her that is exhilarating. Another underlying theme is the oppression of women. Throughout the course of the marriage it is apparent that there were times where Mrs. Mallard felt like she was oppressed and the death of her husband made her realize this. For example, She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will — as powerless as her two white slender hands would have been.” As made apparent by this quote, there were times where she often felt powerless with her husband. The death of her husband made her realize just how oppressed and powerless she was. Those are a few example of themes in the short story “ The Story of an Hour”
Dr. Martin Luther King once said "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them.” The quote means exactly what it says, that in the past people were oppressed and had no rights, and that the rights and privileges being achieved could not be done without their sacrifice. So how does this relate to the short story? Well it was often lack of freedom and great oppression that people went through. That is a similar thing to how Mrs. Mallard felt during her marriage. There were times where she felt oppressed and stuck, in fact a lot of women felt that way in the past, because men had all the power in marriage. While that is not the case today, a lot of women suffered because men had power, and many did suffer before things changed. That is how Martin Luther King’s quote relates to this short story.
MacKenzie Tierney
ReplyDelete“The Yellow Wallpaper”
In the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins-Gillman pictures how women were portrayed and treated in the 1890’s. She focused on women should have more of a voice, and focused on a woman's descent into madness, patriarchal oppression and the longing for societal and economic independence.
There are many themes represented throughout this short story. One theme that stood out was the importance of self-expression. The mental constraints placed on her, even more so than the physical ones, are what ultimately drives her insane. Gillman was forced to hide her anxieties and fears in order to preserve the appearance of a “happy” marriage and to make it seen as though she was winning the fight against her depression. From the beginning, the most unsupportable aspect of her treatment is the required silence and idleness of the resting cure. John forced her to become completely passive, forbidden from her exercising her mind in any way. For example, she says “He says no one but myself can help me out of it, that I must use my will and self-control and not let any silly fancies run away with me” (line 117). Gillman made it well aware that writing was especially off limits, and John warned her several times that she must use her self-control to rein in her imagination, which he feels will run away with her. She is constantly longing for an emotional and rational outlet, even going so far as to keep her writings a secret because it's a relief to her mind. On the other hand, the second theme is feminism and the yellow wallpaper. John keeps Gillman locked up due to her nervous condition of anxiety. He himself diagnosed her himself because he’s a “physician” and used his own remedy to cure her. Those remedys is to keep her inside and deter her from all her activities. Gillman activities were writing, making her own decisions, and interacting with the outside world. He doesn’t even let her see their baby and cousin Henry and Jennie because of her anxiety. He makes her stay in their room with the yellow wallpaper. She believes the yellow wallpaper is making herself improve with her anxiety. She sees multiple women behind the yellow wallpaper when the moonlight hits it. For example, Gillman said “The front pattern does move- and no wonder! The woman behind shakes it! Sometimes I think there are a great many women behind, and sometimes only one, and she crawls around fast, and her crawling shakes it all over'' (lines 188-190). The yellow wallpaper represents her own life, how she’s trapped in between the walls in the room and the woman behind the wallpaper is her and she’s helping that woman get out and be free.
Martin Luther King once said, "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." This quote connects to the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” in many significant ways. If Gillman never wrote this short story of her own life and how women were treated that way in the 1890’s, things for women would be very different nowadays. Distinction between the domestic functions of the female and the active work of the male, ensured that women remained second-class citizens. This gender division had the effect of keeping women in a childish state of ignorance and preventing their full development. Showing us women today to stand up for what we believe in and never let a male dictate our lives.
Romana Pasha
ReplyDeleteThe Story of An Hour
In Kate Chopin’s short story, “The Story of An Hour”, Chopin portrays to the readers the themes of feeling oppressed and the conception of marriage in which women felt back then compared to men. Chopin depicts to the readers her ideas by the use of her character, Mrs. Mallard.
Louise is a married woman who was afflicted with a heart problem. When her sister, Josephine, informs her about Louise’s’ husband's death, Louise reacts in a “dull” or “emotionless” manner that helps convey to the readers how she felt about her husband. The theme of feeling oppressed is portrayed when Chopin depicts to the readers how Louise had loved her husband “sometimes” and that she felt as if she could be free by stating "Free! Body and soul free!" (Chopin). Although Louise was upset about her husband’s death, she felt as if she could be free now and accepted that she could live on her own. Chopin portrays an “open window” which could help symbolize Louise's freedom by stating “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life” (Chopin). Chopin portrays the feelings of oppression by using the man vs man conflict which, in this case is Louise vs herself. When Louise’s husband, Brently, had entered, Louise realized that she had not perceived the truth and passed away from a heart attack due to being in shock. The heart attack can symbolize oppression because after finding out her husband is alive, her feelings of freedom have resigned.
The theme of conception of marriage is portrayed when Louise finds out about her husband’s death she states her opinion about marriage by stating, “There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature” (Chopin). Louise believes that marriage is a way to eliminate freedom for women because of being centered around men who would be considered the more dominant race. Chopin portrays Louise of having a weak heart that can symbolize Louise’s marriage as well. Louise’s’ conception of marriage portrays how many women felt back in the 19th century where men had more freedom compared to women, portraying them as being weaker. Marriage had taken a toll on women’s mental health due to society portraying men as being the ones who are “in control” of marriage.
Women in today’s society are far more in control and have freedom compared to women in the 19th century. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." Women in today’s society now have the power to vote and be able to leave a marriage if they are not satisfied compared to back then where they didn’t have much power. The quote can also represent Chopin’s themes because of how Louise passed away due to having a “weak heart” portraying how women felt back then. Martin Luther King Jr’s quote can describe Louise as someone who was suffering and who helped cause a change for the world. An outside reference that could help portray the ideas of women who were oppressed are women from Ancient Greece. Women from Ancient Greece were oppressed in harsh ways where women were taught to stay at home and teach their daughters the need to marry and taught them how to be housewives, meanwhile men were considered to be the head of the family. Martin Luther King Jr’s quote can correlate to the women in Ancient Greece who had “sacrificed” and “suffered” a lot for their families.
Joseph Esposito 4/2/20
ReplyDeleteEGL 102 Rm 321 9:25-10:40am
Fishbowl April 2nd
After reading Perkins-Gillman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” the two themes I have come to see take place in the story are Freedom and Confinement, as well as Madness. The reason as to why I chose the theme Freedom and Confinement is because in this story the Narrators freedom is stripped from her after giving birth to her child and is locked in a small room by her husband to “recover” but the husband does nothing to help his wife, he frequently spends nights in town being that he is a bigwig psychiatrist. As a result of this the narrator tries to deal with being in isolation but made her situation worse and slipped into a crazed state of mind. The reason I chose Madness as my second theme was because the narrator was isolated for so long that she begins to slowly lose touch with reality. The way the narrator shows the slow decline in her sanity was through her eyes. Her eyes keep playing tricks on her and making her see hallucinations making her grow more insane as the days went on.
I feel that the quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which states "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them" (Dr. King). This quote connects to the themes of the story because in “The Yellow wallpaper one of the major themes is Freedom vs Confinement this can be related to the quote because in the quote Dr. King says “to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them" (Dr. King). This makes the connection of how in the civil rights movement African Americans suffered and fought through all the pain to fight for what was right just as the narrator of the play is doing. The way that this quote connects to the theme of madness in the play was that during the time of the civil rights movements white Americans through harsh brutal riots against the African American peaceful protests, hence the madness going on at the time denying these people their rights like the narrator in the short story, who was denied certain rights because she was a woman and didn’t have the same rights as her husband. Some people may ask how suffering and sacrifice allow for transformation, it has been proven throughout the course of history with such movements as the Civil Rights Movement, the Women's Rights Movement, and many more that when a body of people from either a race, gender, or work groups form together as one to fight for what they believe in it may take a while for them to gain what it is they are looking to achieve but they will undoubtedly go through much pain, suffering, and many setbacks along the way.
Joe Magrane
ReplyDeleteEnglish 102
Mrs. Mignano - Brady
4/2/2020
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin describes one hour of Ms. Mallard's life when she receives the news of her husband's death. Ms. Mallard can be viewed as a typical wife during the 1990’s, oppressed by marriage and in search for independence. At first when Ms. Mallard receives the news she is distraught with grief so she goes to her room to sob, as she is staring out the window she realizes that there is more to the world than what she is experiencing. All this time Ms.Mallard has been oppressed by marriage and never got to see the real beauty in the world. Her husband's death seems to fade away as she realizes she has no one to appease to and live for.
As Ms. Mallard sits there a sense of joy comes over her, she is free, free from all the responsibilities given to her through marriage. Many women during this time period felt the same way, on a quest for independence, freedom from marriage so they can live for themselves and not for their spouse. Ms. Mallard experienced freedom for the first time for a while looking out the window, she finally sees the beauty in nature and all the wonderful things she has been missing out on. Unfortunately Ms. Mallard got a little too happy and died of a heart attack from her immense happiness.
Women's freedom today could not have been achieved without the hard work and suffering of the women before them. Women have fought their way up through society from having no right to vote to being equal with men. Dr. Martin Luther King encapsulates the idea perfectly through his quote "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them" ( Dr. MLK). The work of previous women have given the opportunity to future generations to prosper and be successful alongside men, which sixty years ago would not be thought possible. Ms. Mallard can be viewed as one of the women enjoying the work of previous generations of women. This quote can also be related to “ Antigone” by Sophocles, Antigone challenged Creon's rule for her family's sake, she can be viewed as a martyr, dying for a cause that many know is right such as the women of the 1960’s did.
Thomas Vierling
ReplyDeleteThe Yellow Wallpaper
In the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” the Perkins-Gillman illustrates the themes of isolation and male dominance. In the story the author presents to the audience the viewpoint of a young married woman during the 1890s. The young woman is suffering with depression, likely due to recently giving birth to her baby boy. This depression has led her husband John, to bring the family to an isolated mansion. This mansion becomes the setting in which the women experiences isolation and male dominance.
Through the accounts of the women the audience is shown the themes of isolation and male dominance. These themes are illustrated from the very beginning of the story. Because of her depression the woman is moved to a mansion. This mansion is far from town and mostly empty. The only people in the mansion are the baby, the maid Jane, John, and herself. Jane spends most of her time taking care of the house and the baby, and John is at work for most of the day. This leaves the women alone for most of the day taking her have to face her depression alone. This isolation can be seen as a reason why her mind creates a fantasy of another woman behind the wallpaper. Throughout this short story the audience is also shown how prevalent male dominance was during the 1890s. Male dominance is seen in the story through the interactions between the woman and her husband John. Each and every time the woman tells her husband about the way she feels, John dismisses her opinions and says that his decisions were the ones that needed to be followed. This shows how the women of the time were expected to follow the decisions of the men in their lives.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr once said "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." This quote relates to the story “The Yellow Wallpaper”. The woman in the story has a mental illness which at the time was not taken seriously. Many people in the woman’s life believed that the sick person should be able to break through the mental illness with pure will alone. This mindset led to the increase in the woman’s suffering because she now felt isolated. Her suffering did bring good. It should that those with mental illness must be taking seriously if they are to recover. An example from the real world that illustrates how suffering can bring about good is the freedom fighters like Martin Luther King Jr. These people fought for political and social rights that should be granted to all people no matter the color of their skin, creed, or sex. It is through the torment of the brave people that many groups have received equal rights.
Brittany Cooper
ReplyDelete“The Storm” by Kate Chopin, paints the picture of how hard life was for a woman in the 19th century. This short story demonstrates the entrapment of a woman as an individual in society and the desire a woman has to free herself from familial obligations. During the 19th century, women were supposed act as the “typical housewife” which meant she had to cook, clean and watch after the children. Since men were out all day long working, women were obligated to keep the home in order, or at least that’s what society expected of them. It was unheard of for a woman to roam the streets, let alone commit adultery but this lack of freedom led to the buildup of resentment and anger in Calixta. In the very beginning of Part II, it reads, “Calixta, at home, felt no uneasiness for their safety. She sat at a side window sewing furiously on the sewing machine. She was greatly occupied and did not notice the approaching storm” (Chopin). Although it doesn’t directly state that she was angry, it’s understood that something was on her mind and bothering her.
Like most women during this time period, there was no way for Calixta to openly express herself without being put down by the rest of society and the law. There was this idea that a woman was not allowed to experience life for all that it was. This reality is what leads to Calixta’s unknowing desire to free herself from her familial obligations, the second theme of the story. Alce showing up to the house was unexpected but it brings up feelings Calixta could not resist. She was obviously once in love with this man and he brought her happiness that never went away. She had been feeling so empty that she allowed his presences to fulfill her. We saw how happy and content she became after their encounter. This break from her normal routine was like a breath of fresh air and she suddenly forgot all the sadness she was feeling earlier in the day.
The quote by Martin Luther King relates to the story in the sense that, if it wasn’t for women in the late 19th century fighting so hard for woman’s rights, it wouldn’t have happened. In a way Calixta, symbolizes what it was like for a woman to put her whole life on the line just for her to feel whole again. She represents how difficult it was to be a woman during the 19th century, when no one else saw her as more than just a woman. Today, woman have more rights and are allowed to do as they please without feeling like they are obligated to live a certain way. The suffering faced by woman in the past, has made it possible for us to be free today. This idea that a woman is supposed to be the primary caregiver isn’t emphasized as often as it was before. Women today are much more independent and vocal about what they want.
Annamaria Vaiano
ReplyDeleteProfessor Brady
2 April, 2020
English 102
In the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins-Gillman, the oppression of women as well as the damaging effects of male dominance and lacking self-identity are apparent themes throughout this written work. The author demonstrated the toxic gender roles that were normalized during the 1980’s and the struggles that women had to deal with as a result of them. In the story, the narrator’s husband, John, is a well respected physician who holds significant power over her in their relationship and with his medical opinions on her mental illness. He silences her when she speaks of her desires or opinions in such a way that she doesn’t seem to realize it and because of her condition, she is unable to stick up for herself. “I don’t like our room one bit. I wanted one downstairs...but John would not hear of it” (648). He had dismissed her wants without them even having a conversation about it. It was simply just what he wanted. “There comes John, and I must put this away, - he hates to have me write a word” (649). In their relationship, it is clear that John dictates what happens as well as what his wife does. She doesn’t seem to have a strong enough identity on her own to be able to voice to him how much she enjoys writing along with the fact that she won’t stop. He believes that self expression will make her illness worse while she knows that it will help. Instead of standing up for herself and her beliefs, she keeps it a secret from him in an effort to avoid upsetting him. “I must say what I feel and think in some way - it is such a relief!” (651). These are all prime examples of the oppression of women (specifically in marriage) during this time and the harm that the lack of a strong self-identity can cause.
Dr. Martin Luther King wisely said “I want young men and women who are alive today … to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them.” This quote is extremely relevant to the themes presented throughout the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper”. The woman in the story deals with many obstacles that most people today either wouldn’t be faced with at all or wouldn’t experience as severely. She was a mentally ill woman in a marriage with a man who thought he knew what was best for her. He felt as though because he was a doctor, he was able to make better decisions for her than she could for herself. As a woman during this time period, gender roles played a huge part in how one would be treated. A woman was seen as incompetent when it came to almost everything. Men, and in this case, the woman's husband, would typically expect obedience from their wives and other women in their lives. After an immense amount of fighting back though, this is thankfully no longer the case.
In the 1980’s mental illness wasn’t taken nearly as seriously as it is in today's world. Treatment variations have expanded, more research has been conducted, and being mentally ill is no longer associated with “being crazy” to the extent that it used to be. There is much more general acceptance of mental illness and how it can have a detrimental effect on one's well being. Of course though, as Martin Luther King said, this understanding and acceptance is a privilege that should not be taken lightly. People had to fight, suffer, and face great adversity so that changes would be made and the stigmas surrounding both, women and the mentally ill would end.
Justin Doherty
ReplyDeleteProfessor Mignano-Brady
4/2/20
Short Story Response
In the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, there are many themes that are discovered. The first theme of the story I want to discuss is the reoccurance of “fear” that the main character deals with. This theme stood out to me the most when Mrs. Mallard says “She said it over and over underneath her breath: free, free, free!” By Mrs. Mallard repeating the word “free” after hearing the news that her husband passed away shows me that she has lived in fear throughout their marriage. Knowing that this play was written in 1894 I am not surprised that Mrs. Mallard had this reaction to the news. During this time period, households were typically dominated by the husband and women did not receive many rights. With that being said Mrs. Mallard was probably extremely stressed out her entire life with her husband dominating her.
The next theme I discovered in this story is freedom. Mrs. Mallard didn’t appear to have much freedom throughout the entirety of her marriage. You can tell she felt this way by when Chopin writes, “There would be no one to live for in those coming years; she would live for herself.” This line showed me a lot about how their relationship was. It shows that Mr. Mallard was very demanding over her and didn’t let her live the life that she wanted to. This reminds me of a story that I read in high school about women in Iran. During this time period it is similar to the way Iran still treats women today.
Justin Part 2
DeleteThis quote "I want young men and young women who are not alive today... to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them" by Martin Luther King, relates to "The Story of an Hour." One way it relates is because if it weren't for many people in history who have contributed to the women rights movement, it is a very strong possibility that women could still be living in fear, and with a lack of freedom like Mrs. Mallard in this short story.
Devin Scali
ReplyDeleteProfessor Mignano-Brady
4/2/20
Short Story Response
In the short story “The Storm” by Kate Chopin shows the difficulties in life for a women in this time period. The two themes that I saw in this short story was want, desire and freedom. Calixta shows her want and desire when she sees Alce. “he looked down into her eyes and there was nothing for him to do but to gather her lips in a kiss. It reminded him of Assumption” (Chopin). This was said to show that they gave into their desires. They had a desire and want to be with each other and they let it happen. This was obviously wrong to do in that society but she went against her husband when she had this affair. Also in the short story the theme of freedom comes up. She almost seems trapped at points so when she sees Alce its almost like she feels free in a way. “The generous abundance of her passion, without guile or trickery, was like a white flame which penetrated and found response in depths of his own sensuous nature that had never yet been reached” (Chopin). She didn’t have the freedom to give in to her want for Alce. So when her and Alce she rebelled in a way and made her feel happy and that she was able to break free.
Women had to fight for all of their rights but now in the modern day women achieved their rights and freedoms This quote by Dr. Martin Luther King “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them” shows how these things are possible but it takes time and sacrifice. People in the past have done things so that people in the future can benefit. This can relate to the short story because Calixta was the one who was suffering she had desires that she wasn’t allowed to show or act on. When she finally does act on her desires she sacrifices her life and her marriage for her to feel free.
Rey Maloco Jr.
ReplyDeleteProfessor Brady
ENG 102
2 April 2020
Fishbowl
“The Story of An Hour” by Kate Chopin is about Josephine Mallard who is trapped in a loveless marriage. In the beginning she is told that her husband has died and while grieving at first, she soon begins to imagine a life with freedom and a life where she would live for herself. However, shortly after, Josephine is brought downstairs and sees her husband walk through the door and dies instantly. The drastic changes in emotions that Josephine experiences throughout this short story show the effects that the time period and marriage has had on her. Freedom and oppression in marriage are two big themes that come to mind in the “The Story of an Hour.”
Freedom is the quality or state of being free. The story, along with the time period show how Josephine Mallard realizes her freedom when she finds out her husband has died. During the end of the 19th century a lot of women had limited freedom, from marriages as well as from society. This was a time during the women’s rights movement, where men still dominated society. At first, Josephine is torn that her husband has died. It isn’t until she is left alone in her room that she realizes the freedom she now has. “There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully,” (Chopin). This feeling was something she wasn’t used to, so much that it frightened her. Once the sense of freedom “possessed” her, “The vacant stare and look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body,” (Chopin). This was an awakening for Josephine and her own individual identity. The realization of her freedom is what makes such a big theme in the story.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteAnother theme that plays into freedom is oppression in marriage. The reason that Josephine can feel this freedom is because of what she has gone through as a woman in society and in marriage. “There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow- creature” (Chopin). This quote explains the state of Mr. and Mrs. Mallards marriage. She has felt that she has been subdued due to the acts of her husband and societies degradation of women. The story continues to say “And yet she had loved him—sometimes… What did it matter! What could love… count for in the face of this possession of self-assertion…”(Chopin). Here, she questions the love in the marriage because of this new feeling of freedom. This realization is what overpowers the love she has for her husband.
Dr. Martin Luther King said, “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." Dr. Martin Luther King intended to reach those of have suffered and sacrificed and those who have not. He explains that those who have suffered and sacrificed helped to bring a future with new privileges and opportunities. This quote corresponds to the theme of freedom in “The Story of An Hour” by Kate Chopin because without the sacrificing and suffering that Josephine experienced, she wouldn’t have felt the feeling of freedom. This transformation that she has made with herself was due to the suffering in her marriage. We can also see this idea that suffering, and sacrifice is necessary for transformation with businesses. All successful businesses experience a time of suffering, sacrifice, and failure. In fact, it’s necessary for most businesses to go through this in order to become successful. Businesses must go through trial and error multiple times in order to adapt and transform into a successful one. Just like Josephine, for her to reach her awakening, it was necessary for her to suffer through her marriage so that she can transform. Her lack of freedom and oppression from her husband is what lead to such a deep transformation within herself.
REY!! Nice work!
DeleteChristina Ruggiano
ReplyDeleteProfessor Brady
2, April 2020
English 102
In the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, underlying themes are being portrayed by the roles of the characters during this time period. Entrapment and fear take places in the lives of women during this time as well as searching for identity and the oppressive nature of marriage. This idea leads the readers right into the first theme of oppression towards women. Mrs. Mallard was a young woman with heart troubles. She was married to Brently Mallard, but her sister Josephine broke the news to her that he had passed away in a “railroad disaster”. She locked herself in her room and “stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank”. Mrs. Mallard cried when hearing this news and knew she would “weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death”. During the one hour of locking herself in her room, Mrs. Mallard has also expressed her excitement about the prospect of her future Women felt that they did not want the burden of marriage and children in their lives. Mrs. Mallard finds freedom in the false belief that her husband is dead and dies when she faces the truth. As Josephine and Mrs. Mallard walk down the stairs to Richard, Brently opens the door with his key and as soon as Mrs. Mallard sees Brently she dies of a heart attack. That feeling of freedom is no longer there anymore.
Freedom means to be privileged and have self-governance. During this time period, that is all women desired. The underlying theme of freedom is also portrayed in Kate Chopin’s short story. After the death of Brently Mallard, Mrs. Mallard felt sadness, but also felt freedom. Marriage was forced upon women therefore, Mrs. Mallard never wanted to be married to Brently Mallard. When you possess someone or something you own it and have complete power over it. As Mrs. Mallard was sitting at her open window, she was witnessing the beauty of nature and everything she misses out on. “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street bellow a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves.” Chopin uses a lot of imagery to help enhance the underlying theme of freedom. Mrs. Mallard also begins to “recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back to her will---as powerless as her two white slender hands would have been”. Brently Mallard walked through the door to see his wife again after they had thought he was dead. Brently has possession over Mrs. Mallard. “Free! Body and soul free!” was no longer the words Mrs. Mallard would choose to use. Due to the sight of her husband unexpectedly still alive, she died of a heart attack.
Dr. Martin Luther King said, “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." This quote strongly connects to the underlying themes of oppression towards women and freedom. Without the women suffering to live the life they did not want during the time-period, women today would not be so fortunate to have as many opportunities and privileges as they do. In today’s society women can vote and have children at their own pace and get married to whomever they desire to and if their marriage is not making them happy, they have the choice to file for a divorce. People do not choose to suffer…they are forced to suffer. When suffering and sacrifice is occurring, no one thinks about the transformation it will allow for in the future. The suffering and sacrifice that women faced allowed for a better and less torturous future for women today. In 1912, women were treated very differently than how women are treated today. They were not allowed to vote and were portrayed as gentle and demure. This resulted in them being treated as if they were children. Social classes had a huge impact on the treatment of certain women though. Britain people suffered and sacrificed more or less based on their social class. There was the upper class, middle class, and the working class. Upper class women lived their lives by following the rules of etiquette. Rules and laws were set for women to follow. Their lives meant getting married and having children which is what Chopin portrays in “The Story of an Hour”. Dr. Martin Luther King’s quote can correlate to Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour” or the lives of women and the existent social classes in Britain during 1912. Women were not treated fairly and were not given equality during this time period, but all their suffering and sacrifice is what changed the lives of women today.
DeleteProfessor Brady
ReplyDeleteEgl 102
2 April 2020
In the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, there are many themes that are discovered. The first theme of the story that I want to discuss is Freedom. As Mrs. Mallard sits there a sense of joy comes over her, she is free, free from all the responsibilities given to her through marriage. it’s almost as if she’s relieved that her husband had died. She finally sees the beauty in nature and all the wonderful things she has been missing out on.in the story, she kept whispering “Free! Body and soul free!” stating how she truly finally felt free. Unfortunately, Mrs. Mallard got a little too happy and died of a heart attack from being over-joyous.
Women today are far more in control and have freedom compared to women in the 19th century. Back when this story had taken place, Women didn’t have close to the same rights as they have today. Women today now have the power to vote and be able to leave a marriage if they are not satisfied compared to back then where they didn’t have much power. A really good example of this is women from Ancient Greece were oppressed in harsh ways where women were taught to stay at home and teach their daughters the need to marry and taught them how to be housewives, meanwhile men were considered to be the head of the family. Mrs. Mallard felt oppressed and stuck, in fact a lot of women felt that way in the past, because men had all the power in marriage. This situation can also be closely related to “Antigone” by Sophocles when Antigone challenged Creon's rule for her family's sake. She can be viewed as a martyr, dying for a cause that many know is right such as the women of the 1960’s did.
In the short story “The Storm” by Kate Chopin, it represents symbolism of oppression of women in the 19th century, which is also a reoccurring theme. During this time period women were controlled, their voices were not heard. They had no rights protecting themselves, just like in a storm there isn’t much you can do to hide from it. People are oppressed and limited to stay inside to be safe just like women in this time had to keep their thoughts exactly that, thoughts. “The rain was coming down in sheets obscuring the view of far-off cabinets and enveloping the distant wood in a gray mist. The playing of the lightning was incessant”, explaining that the storm grows stronger as it represents the pressure of society for a woman. However, Calixta was faced with her past of her old lover coming to her property looking for shelter. You were able to feel the tension of sexual desire they both still had for each other, “The contact of her warm, palpitating body when he had unthinkingly drawn her into his arms, had aroused all the old-time infatuation and desire for her flesh”, strength and desire being the second theme. With her husband and child being away, this gave her the ability to be free. Calixta took this opportunity, from being oppressed and turned it to strength, by making her own choices during the storm, this period of restriction and fought against it when she kissed Alce. The surge of power was prominent as she went against society, once women married in the 19th century they became their husbands property. Getting a divorce or even making their own choices was highly looked down upon, almost unheard of for women leaving their husbands. Calixta was the voice women needed during this time to fight for their rights.
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King’s quote “I want young men and women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them” connects to “The Storm”. Calixta was one of those who experienced the suffering and sacrificing, especially as a woman during this time period. She had no rights of her own to speak her voice nor make her own choices. They were restricted as soon as she married her husband, her role was to clean the house and care for her child. On the other hand, suffering and sacrifice allows for transformation because it brings awareness for a change to occur. Suffering can be synonymous with growth, without going through the pain there wouldn't be any lesson learned and change to come from that. Just like women being oppressed, women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton wouldn't have had the courage to fight for women's rights. You need to feel the pain and experience the challenges for change to happen.
Kevaughn Simpson
ReplyDeleteEnglish 102
Mrs. Mignano - Brady
4/2/2020
While reading the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” written by Charlotte Perkins-Gillman, I have come across many different themes, but the two that stuck out to me the most are the themes of Oppression as well as The Desire to break free. The story talks about women in the 1800’s as being trapped and needing to break free from their oppressors.
Examples of this oppression can be seen multiple times throughout the story, I will highlight one instance in lines 38-39 where she states “Here comes John, and I must put this away, -he hates to have me write a word.” This shows her putting aside her own desires to keep her husband from being upset with her which she seems to do a lot throughout the course of the story.
She wants to break free from this bondage that he has out her under.
The author used the wallpaper as a representation of her life with her husband where the pattern is oppression and the “faint figure” trying to break free is her. (Line 132)
"I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." is a famous line by Dr. Martin Luther King. It relates to the story as with the documenting of these events, it fulfils Dr. Kings desire to give the people of this generation and of ones to come, a clear picture of where we as people are coming from. Showing people what she along with many other women in the 1800’s had to endure serves as a reminder for women to not be afraid to let their voices be heard and to break free from any oppressive situation they might be in.
CJ Odom
ReplyDeleteProf. Brady
2, April 2020
English 102
Within Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" there are various themes portrayed by the roles of the characters at this specific time period. During this time period, common themes within the lives of women were entrapment and fear as well as a repression within marriage and freedom. Mrs. Mallard was a young woman who suffered from a weak heart, however upon hearing that her husband is dead, her heart is not weak but is overjoyed and strengthened by the news. She does not react the same way most women would have. “She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms. When the storm of grief had spent itself, she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her.”(Chopin) This exemplifies that although saddened by the news she is not impacted the same way as others, and that she was not happy within the marriage and did not love him the way most women are expected to love their husbands. As a woman of time, Mrs. Mallard was confined to a relationship which she did not want to be in, one in which she felt that she had lost herself due to living for someone else. Upon hearing of her husband’s sudden passing she is overjoyed with the idea that now she may have a life of her own again. “There would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature” (Chopin). The revelation of the opportunities she now has as a free woman fills her with joy and a passion for life, a passion she thought she had lost. Within the celebration of her freedom and new identity as a single woman, she walks downstairs only to see her husband alive, and the sudden shock causes her weak heart to give out and she dies on sight.
To have a true sense of self identity and self-governance is what it means to have freedom. While saddened by the news of her husband’s passing, Mrs. Mallard was also relieved. She locks herself in her room and looks out of the window and suddenly sees everything she has missed in the world around her while trapped in an oppressive marriage.” She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air”. The “new spring life” that she referred to was one of her own. After this observation of the world she says “free, free, free.” This illustrates that although her husband’s life was gone, hers was just beginning. The initial whisper of the repeated word free, shows that she was hesitant to acknowledge it and only through repetition was she able to rejoice in her newfound sense of freedom. By acknowledging this freedom, she is fully able to appreciate her surrounding from things as simple as the trees and the rain. These are all things she overlooked in the past while she was trapped within her loveless marriage. This was a common desire among women at the time, who were often trapped within marriages where their whole sense of identity was diluted and erased for the sake of the marriage and the men they were with
Part 2:
DeleteThe women of the present would not be where they are now without the suffering and sacrifices made by the women of the past. Dr. Martin Luther King’s quote “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them” (Dr. MLK) completely epitomizes this idea. The struggle and strife of the women of the past provided the growth in opportunities for future generations to be successful. At the time women were second class to men and lack a lot of the rights and opportunities within society that man had. These ideals made women act and talk a certain way within their marriages and everyday lives, however without these women and the struggles they faced women would not be where they are in today’s society.
Jeridania Rodriguez
ReplyDeleteThe short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, provides us with many themes about how women were treated. Especially during the 1890s, where women were seen as weak, and passive. Rather than men who were seen as powerful and brave. Two themes that really stood out throughout the story was dominance and submissive. Women went through many things with having no say or power through these times. As this story portrays that Mr. Mallard had an immense amount of power over Mrs. Millard. He had dominance in their marriage, creating a form of fear in her. Mrs. Millard was very submissive to him, living with this thought of having no freedom and no voice for herself.
As she found out the news of her husband’s death, she began to grief. Shortly after that feeling was blocked away. The reason for that is because in her mind it had occurred that now that he is gone she has a voice again. For example, it states “ There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself”. (Chopin). This creates a feeling of being free not submissive. She would have a life to herself. She would have no obligation to anybody but her own. The feeling of being vulnerable wasn't there anymore. For her not to have freedom and just to listen to whatever he says, emotionally attacks her. Furthermore the theme of dominance is felt throughout the feeling of Mrs. Millard as well. For example, it says, When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease--of the joy that kills”. (Chopin). Before this her husband had walked in the door, and she had seen him shortly after she had died. There was no accident, and he was nowhere near it. Now the shock of remembering all those trapped feelings and no freedom or voice, took her over and killed her. It is why the theme dominance is so powerful in the story, where the thought of her seeing her husband again struck her.
The quote "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." (Dr.MLK). Shows us that at some point in time, somebody sacrifices for what we have, for the laws or even to the opportunities and living situations one has. It connects back to the short story , because there once was a time where women had no place of power , no place in law. Just full on obligation,without anybody stopping it. Then came those women who began to think and stand up for themselves. Many years ago things were nowhere near the way they are now. Mrs. Millard was one of those ladies, who went through no freedom in marriage, where she couldn't leave the marriage even if she didn't want it anymore. Now in today's society , we have women in power, who have a voice, women can now also vote. Most all they have power in a marriage. If it wasn't for those who sacrificed their lives many decades ago, we wouldn't have this type of capability.
Waldina Lopez
ReplyDelete“The Yellow Wallpaper”
The Yellow Wallpaper has several themes. I did some research after I finished reading and I found out about the “resting cure”. Gilman had self-conflict. I saw throughout the whole short story Gilman made sure to show the true evils of self- isolation and being alone with ones’ thoughts running wild. Which was what the protagonist, Gilman, was put to do. Her husband was a physician and back then they didn’t believe depression was an actual thing or post-partum. Sadly, that was what Gilman was suffering from. She couldn’t find the will or strength to get up in the morning and take care of her new born. Her husband did want the best for her which is why he took her somewhere more secluded so she can get more rest and try to just focus on herself. Of course most of the time you should listen to a doctor but when it comes to your well-being sometimes you have to follow your heart and do what you believe is best for you. “So I take phosphates or phosphites- whatever it is, and tonics, and journeys and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to “work” until I am well again… Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good.” (Gilman, TYW).
Another theme was the importance of self-expression. Gilman wanted to talk to her husband and tell him how she truly felt. Her husband never took her serious and just thought she was tired from taking care of the baby. Seeing as she just never wanted to get up and take care of the baby or even feed him. Her husband shot her down so many times it eventually got to her. She believed she shouldn’t be feeling the way she feels especially seeing as her husband treated her so good and did everything in his power to help her. “John is a physician, and perhaps … perhaps that is one reason I do not get well faster. You see he does not believe I am sick.” (Gilman, TYW). In which she eventually went insane staring at this ridiculous yellow wallpaper she hated so much. In which shows the suffering not only Gilman went through but also a lot of other women so that our generations can live better and healthier lives. People understand women can have post-partum depression after giving birth and won’t be judged now. “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them.”-Dr. Martin Luther King .
Salma Abdeltawab
ReplyDeleteProfessor Brady
ENGLISH 102
2 April 2020
"The Storm" Kate Chopin
In the short story "The Storm" by Kate Chopin she portrays multiple themes throughout the story. Two main themes are sexual desire and family obligation. Both Alce and Calixta have family obligations, Alce cares greatly for his family that is away “lce Laballire wrote to his wife, Clarisse, that night. It was a loving letter, full of tender solicitude. He told her not to hurry back, but if she and the babies liked it at Biloxi, to stay a month longer “(Chopin). Calixta cares for a family wondering where they are in the storm and preparing food for them which is the role of women "J'vous rponds, we'll have a feas' to-night! umph-umph!" Bobint and Bibi began to relax and enjoy themselves” (Chopin). Chopin portrays sexual desire through the symbolism of the rain and shows that sexual desire was only for a short moment for them that they gave into. Their sexual desire was more of a temptation, something short and quick because they had more of a major theme which was a family obligation. The family obligation is more of the “Ego” while the sexual desire is more of the “Superego” and “Id”.
When Dr. Martin Luther said, “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." He was explaining the importance of understanding that before the freedom that anyone gets there are suffering and hard work to gain this independence and freedom. Furthermore, In the short story “The Storm” by Kate Chopin she shows us that women were still obligated and the structures of a women’s life in that time were to stay and serve for her family. Women like Claixta were to make sacrifices and because society obligated them to, which are the struggles of that period but the root of our privileges. Although there was a moment where she went against society's structural morals, she still had to be with her family and not be with someone she loves more. Many people can be with people they married and not truly love them or feel much for them but stay with them because of society's rules. However in the 21st century now relationships are trial, and error and you are given options and society's norms have changed. The roots of many of our privileges come from the oppression of women, men, and cultures. This short story's bigger picture is truly about obligations and true feelings that needed to be suppressed to live in society, but not only for couples that had affairs but for people that are outspoken on racism, sexism, patriarchy,misogyny, etc.
Deon Hoppin
ReplyDelete“The Story of an Hour”
Throughout this short story I saw a reoccurring theme. In which to me was the forbidden joy of independence. Mrs. Mallard forbidden from ever enjoying her independence in which was a conflict with the outside world. When she had found out her husband was dead she acted and showed only grief. She made a bigger sense then most women would do but she was justified seeing as her husband just passed away. When she went to her room alone she realized the “good” news she just heard. She was finally free and didn’t have to deal with the oppression she felt from her husband and society. “She said it over and over under her breath: “free, free, free!” (Chopin). Even though they are her private thought she herself knew she should not have been feeling this way but she couldn’t help it. She was no longer restricted. Sadly, after she tasted the forbidden fruit of independence her husband showed up and it not only took that forbidden fruit from her but her life as well.
Chopin also showed the oppression that marriages had on everyone. Even the happiest of marriages were inherently oppressive. Mrs. Mallard mentioned several times that Brently was always kind to her and she would cry at his funeral when she saw him in his coffin. “She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death.” (Chopin). Chopin was showing that marriage was not only oppressive to women but also to men. Brently himself might have also felt oppressed and maybe after Mrs. Mallard passed away in front of him he might have felt the same way. Chopin shows that marriage takes away both parties independence. These are not the only married couple to feel oppressed. There were many and because of their suffrage we are now able to be independent and not have to feel oppressed because they are in a marriage. Especially for women seeing as back then women were not able to support themselves and had to depend on a man for everything. "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." (DMLK).
Gabriel Moses
ReplyDeleteProfessor Brady
April 2, 2020
English 102
Throughout the short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" written by Charlotte Perkins-Gillman there are many themes that we perceive. Madness and being trapped by male dominance are two major themes that occur in the story. In the story, we witness the narrator living in a period where women had no rights and were expected to remain in their homes all day. The narrator resides with her husband John a respected physician who has a tremendous amount of control over their relationship. In the story, the narrator seems to be suffering from some psychological problems which need to be attended to, but her husband being a physician believes he can help her. A treatment method he enacts is restricting the narrator's behavior. One way he does this is by keeping her trapped in a room, so she doesn't indulge her fancies or desires. In the story, it says, "I have a scheduled prescription for each hour in the day" (648). This line shows us how John is using his position as a well-respected doctor to keep the narrator trapped. The story also says, "I don't like our room one bit…but John would not hear of it" (648). In this line, John is dismissing what the narrator thinks because men during the 1890s believed they didn't have to listen to what women had to say. Now that times have changed if a woman was dismissed, we would call that a form of sexism.
Insanity or madness is caused by doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different outcomes. As readers, we know that when someone has a psychological disorder they should go to a psychiatrist. However, John believes the cure to his wife's problem is isolation. He keeps the narrator in a room filled with basic objects and wallpaper that covers most of the walls. Being trapped in the room day after day the narrator develops a deep fascination with the wallpaper and starts to lose herself as time goes by. In the story, it says, "Life is very much more exciting now than it used to be…I really do eat better, and am more quiet than I was" (653). In this quote, we are now fully seeing the narrator lose her insanity. She is starting to express how nice it is to live in a room with no interaction with the real world. The narrator is explaining how a room that is made to be bland is truly exciting, and how it is filled with expression. This shows that she has created an alternate place in her mind to overcome the fact that she is all alone. The narrator was going through both internal and external conflict. The internal conflict occurred with her being stuck in the room with just her thoughts while the external conflict was with her husband. Even though she thought her husband was trying to help her get better he was the antagonist in her life.
Gabriel Moses part 2
DeleteDr. Martin Luther King once said, "I want young men and young women who are not alive today…to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." This quote means that the generation that is alive today should know that because of what occurred in the past is the reason they don't have to fight, or struggle as much as their ancestors. This quote from Dr. Martin Luther King relates to the story because the narrator was being subdued by male dominance and incorrect treatments of medical disorders. The narrator of this story dealt with oppression so women today wouldn't have to. Everything the narrator suffered through was so females in our modern society shouldn't be experiencing the same struggles she went through not being dismissed, and not being seen as a number one priority. During the 1890's mental illnesses weren't taken nearly as serious as they are today. In today's society, there are countless amount of resources being used to help people with mental disorders. The quote shows us that many people had to live during a time where their problems seemed microscopic, so now that we have numerous amounts of organizations set up to help with certain tasks, we should be grateful.
Cassandre Decady
ReplyDeleteProfessor Brady
English 102
02 April 2020
Title of Your Report
The short story “ The Storm” composed by Kate Chopin in 1898 was extremely groundbreaking for its time. Although it was published 70 years later, it was extremely radical for a woman or anybody, in fact, to write about what Kate Chopin wrote about. In the short story, The Storm a man and woman in two separate marriages are dealing with obviously unfulfilling marriages when an unsuspected storm brings them together and they both commit adultery on their spouses. The reason that this is so groundbreaking is that Kate Chopin describes the two character’s sexual encounter in detail that would be considered distasteful for the time period. The theme of forbidden love is very distinct throughout the story. These two characters are portrayed to have known each other previously in their life but did not end up together because of other life and societal circumstances. “As she glanced up at him the fear in her liquid blue eyes had given place to a drowsy gleam that unconsciously betrayed a sensuous desire. He looked down into her eyes and there was nothing for him to do but to gather her lips in a kiss. It reminded him of Assumption”.
This quote from the story is what puts these two characters back in a time in their lives where everything is what they may have wanted it to be. This line eventually leads to these 2 characters to have a sexual encounter.
ReplyDeleteAnother theme in this story is the author portraying that marriage does not always consist of love. In the story after both characters commit adultery, they smile and continue on with their married lives. “The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems. Calixta, on the gallery, watched Alce ride away. He turned and smiled at her with a beaming face; and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud.” What had just happened had not made either of them snap back into reality like we often see characters do in movies but they smiled at each other showing content. Another interesting point that Kopin did not include in her story was guilt. Both characters seemed quite comfortable with their actions in comparison to how most people might have felt after committing adultery. Both characters got a taste of what “could have been” and decided to move on with their lives. Although two people can be bound together by marriage it does not necessarily mean true love is there.
The conflict portrayed in this short story is man vs. society. I believe it is man vs. society because two people who may have otherwise been together were not because of circumstances left unmentioned. If you can understand the time period of 1898 divorce was not a common thing at all and women did not always necessarily get married because they were in love. As a woman, you usually had to marry a man who looked the best on paper even if he was not what your heart truly desired. I am not insinuating that this was the particular case but this is similar to what it was like in this time period.
ReplyDelete"I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." This quote by Martin Luther King Jr. can relate to the theme of forbidden love because if people before our present-day had not fought for us all maybe Interracial relationships would still be banned. This quote can also relate the theme of marriages not always consisting of love. Maybe if it not had been for groundbreaking women like Kate Chopin women or men may have still been in marriages that did not consist of “love” or fulfillment.
Great Job Cassie!
DeleteBismah Dhar
ReplyDelete"The Storm," Kate Chopin
In Kate Chopin’s, “The Storm,” contains themes such as sexual desire and family responsibility. The themes are expressed through the interactions between Calixta and Alce and their interactions with their family shown after their affair. In the story, Chopin describes sex as liberating and passionate. Calixta is more satisfied with her affair with Alce than her sex life with her own husband, “The generous abundance of her passion, without guile or trickery, was like a white flame which penetrated and found response in depths of his own sensuous nature that had never yet been reached” (Chopin). This interaction parallels the storm, as the storm approaches, Alce and Calixta join closer together and as the storm becomes more intense, they eventually sleep with each other, “They did not heed the crashing torrents, and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms...The growl of the thunder was distant and passing away. The rain beat softly upon the shingles, inviting them to drowsiness and sleep. But they dared not yield,” both of them have finished signifying the end of the storm (Chopin). The “calm after the storm” is represented through Calixta as after Alce leaves, the storm starts to clear up and is left with a satisfied Calixta. Familial responsibility is shown by both Calixta and Alce, with the affair occurring between the two of them it presents as a conflict but instead brings them closer together with their own spouses. Calixta, being a stay at home wife was not an unusual occurrence during the time period they were in, as Calixta was playing the role of the homemaker or housewife and attending to chores around the house, and is not satisfied with her needs because they are not being met, Calixta, at home, felt no uneasiness for their safety. She sat at a side window sewing furiously on a sewing machine. She was
Bismah Dhar
Delete....greatly occupied and did not notice the approaching storm,” as her husband is out with her son, she is attending to her home duties (Chopin). After the affair, she seems more content and happier that her son and husband are home, now that her needs are met, “She had clasped Bibi and was kissing him effusively. Bobint’s explanations and apologies which he had been composing all along the way, died on his lips as Calixta felt him to see if he were dry, and seemed to express nothing but satisfaction at their safe return….Bobint and Bibi began to relax and enjoy themselves, and when the three seated themselves at table they laughed much and so loud that anyone might have heard them as far away as Laballire’s,” her husband had expected a much worse reaction but because she was satisfied, she was happy they were safe and with her (Chopin). The main conflict expressed in this story is “man vs. society” because during the 19th century such affairs and relationships were unspoken of, Calixta’s main role is to be able to stay home and wait for her husband, wait obediently and tend to his needs. For her to go for her own sexual needs that haven’t been satisfied by her own husband would be heavily frowned upon in the society Calixta lived in.
The quote “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them” by Dr. Martin Luther King correlates with Calixta's ‘suffering.’ The quote shows the importance of the freedom that the individuals who are alive have because of the struggles that people faced before. In her society, the only role allowed for Calixta is the role of the housewife, without any room to obtain or achieve anything else other than that. It relates to the theme of female oppression that is lightly represented in the short story. The suffering and sacrifices women went through allowed for great change in our current society. This is shown at the start of the feminism movement. During the first wave of feminism, women faced much more oppression and were met with much more resistance, their goals targeted the educational and political freedom for all kinds of women. With the efforts of women who were suffragettes, individuals such as Mary Wollstonecraft who wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Women,” which argued why the rights for women are so important. Her treaty helped shape the suffragettes and helped guide the start of the feminist movement.
Nick Andrle
ReplyDeleteEnglish 102
4/3/2020
Themes about The Storm
Throughout “The Storm” by Kate Chopin, two themes are presented and developed throughout the story. First, the theme of nervousness and uneasiness is presented in the beginning of the story, due to Alce’s concern for Bobint and Bibi. For example, “ ‘Let us hope, Calixta, that Bobint's got sense enough to come in out of a cyclone.’ She went and stood at the window with a greatly disturbed look on her face”(Chopin, II). In this example, Alce explains that he hopes Bobint and Bibi are able to get out of the intense storm that is quickly approaching. Another example is, “. A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seemed to invade the very boards they stood upon. Calixta put her hands to her eyes, and with a cry, staggered backward. Alce's arm encircled her, and for an instant he drew her close and spasmodically to him."Bont!" she cried, releasing herself from his encircling arm and retreating from the window, the house'll go next!”(Chopin ,II). In this example, Calixta’s uneasiness and subsequent outcry occurs due to lightning striking a nearby tree, this causes her to panic thinking that the very house she is in will be struck by lightning. Second, the theme of a refreshed relationship is presented towards the climax and end of the story. Due to the storm keeping everyone inside of the house, it gives the characters a chance to bond and reestablish or refresh their current bonds with each other and after the storm ends, those relationships are seen in full. For example, “The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems. Calixta, on the gallery, watched Alce ride away. He turned and smiled at her with a beaming face; and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud”(Chopin, III). In this example, the relationship between Calixta and Alce is shown to have a much brighter tone after the storm ends.
Dr. King once said “I want young men and women who aren't alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them” this quote relates to the themes developed in the play due to the suffering of Calixta during the storm as her uneasiness increases with the lightning striking and her ever increasing worry for Bobint and Bibi. Also, Calixta is able to show how she really feels about Alce while Bobint and Bibi are away, presumably stuck in the storm. This leads to her being able to make her own decisions while being trapped by the storm. At the end of the story, Calixta is finally happy. An example to the outside world would be how women did not have the basic freedoms and roles in society back in the early twentieth century. The suffering and sacrifice that many women went through in order to bring about change ensured that future generations would be able to do anything.
Ivana Davila
ReplyDeleteEnglish 102
Thursday 12:15
The short story “The Storm” by Kate Chopin had many strong themes and conflicts throughout it. One theme that stood out the most was the theme of lust. Alce had not seen Calixta by herself creating lustful feelings that arose in himself. Simply having his arms around Calixta “had aroused all the old-time infatuation and desire for her flesh.” (line 56-57) Although he cared about his wife Clarisse and the babies, the reality, he craved for a fantasy. The fantasy was filled with an infatuation for Calixta far from love, simply a temporary pleasure. The theme of lust applies to many people in the world today. Lust does not simply mean the craving for sexual pleasure, but it could be the craving or obsession with status, objects or even power. These lustful desires could cause a person to be blind to the reality of the world or situations around them. A theme that could also be applicable is the theme of revising the past by choice. Calixta and Alce both knew each other for a while before their passionate affair. Holding Calixta brought memories of their past to Alce. "Do you remember Assumption, Calixta?" (line 63). The memories from the past brought back all the emotions the two once had for each other in great intensity. The past was filled with the seductive and captivated passion the two had once cherished with each other. Alce and Calixta were not the only characters revisiting the past. While Clarisse was visiting the bay with the babies, her mind was off drifting to the past. With her friends surrounding her it “seemed to restore the pleasant liberty of her maiden days”’(line 104- 105) a feeling from her past. Clarisse was spending her time at the bay as she had in her past, a single woman who did not have to consult with her husband about her plans for the day for approval. It is not uncommon for people to revisit their past, elders often revisit their past and share it with younger generations. Friends joke around when they revisit their stories with each other. Old technology is constantly being revisited to develop improvements in future ideas. Conflicts were no stranger to the story. Man vs nature was an important conflict. The storm had made Alce seek refuge at Calixtas home. Without the storm and its intensity, it is unknown if Alce would have even stopped at Calixtas. These themes and conflicts displayed in “The Storm” are what give the short story its impactful effect on the audience.
"I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." was an impactful statement from Martin Luther King. This quote related to the short story “The Storm” in an obvious way. The thought of revisiting the past was one Dr. King emphasized, a theme that was no stranger to “The Storm”. As Alce, Calixta, and Clarisse reflected on the past, they saw the path they took in their lives to lead them to the position they were in at the point where the story took place. Young people have been taught the long trail of suffrage before them. Reflecting on the past allows growth and appreciation for every stage of life as well as what it offers.
In the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins there were two themes that really stood out which were Repression and Self-Expression. Why Gender roles stood out is because the narrator of the short story is confined by her gender as much as she is confined by her illness. Her basic duties around at home is to clean the house and take care of her child. She has no option of escaping the role of a wife and mother. John the narrator’s husband only sees her as that. One example that’s shows gender role is “She is a perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper and hopes for no better profession. I verily believe she thinks it is the writing which made me sick!” This shows that John’s sister Jennie represents the ideal of woman at this time of age. This shows how gender roles is embodied in this short story. Self-expression really stood out because the narrator is forced to hide her anxieties and fears to save her happy marriage to and for her to make it seem as though she is healing against her depression. She if forbidden to write and to try not to use her imagination. One example that’s shows this is “ John is a physician, and perhaps (I would say it to a living soul, of course, but this is dead paper and a great relief to my mind) perhaps that is one reason I do not get well faster” Writing down how she really feels gives her relief. But the husband and doctor forbid it therefore the lack of understanding between them makes her mental health even worst. This shows the two themes that really stood out in the short story.
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King’s quote “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them.” Relates to the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” because the narrator was suffering because she couldn’t be herself and was forbidden to use her mind because of two men. During that time period women always listened to men. So in today’s society there a many places where women are now role models or people listening to what women have to say. This is because of all the suffering women had back then to get here. Someone need to speak out and someone did.
Anthony Induisi
ReplyDeleteENG 102
Prof. Brady
Kate Chopin’s “The Story of An Hour” takes place in the mid 1890’s, right around when the women of America were fighting for their freedom and have fair rights. The short story brings up many different themes relating to the time period and certain historical events. One possible theme for the story could be how a women’s feel of joy while being independent was not accepted back in this time. When Mrs. Mallard learns of her husbands death, she is in deep grief and cannot accept the truth. When in her room alone, she gets a weird feeling resulting from her husband’s death, the feeling of joy. In the story, Chopin says, “She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will… She said it over and over under her breath: ‘Free, free, free!’” Mrs. Mallard knows that being joyful over a sense of independence following the death of her husband will not be accepted in society, especially in the time period of the story. Women were not seen as equal to men 120 years ago. Ending the story, Brently Mallard returns, not dead. This takes Mrs. Mallard’s independence right back from her. Her joy of independence ends up killing Mrs. Mallard along with her heart condition.
Another theme for Chopin’s short story could be the cruel hardships that come along with some possibly all marriages. After learning of Brently’s death, Mrs. Mallard knows she’ll cry at the funeral, “She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death”. Even though she will weep once more, she feels a sense of freedom and joy when she believes her husband has passed. She repeated whispers “Free” and also says “Free! Body and soul free”. This brings up the possibility of harsh times during marriage that is relived when separated. Chopin suggests that marriage brings oppressive feelings to the couple.
Throughout America’s past, women along with a number of others, have fought for their freedom. Through sacrifice and suffering, these people have won their battles, in the end fighting for what’s right. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them.” He wanted the future members in society to realize that someone once fought for the right for you to have the freedom and power to do what you want. Relating to the time period of “The Story of An Hour”, the ones fighting for ‘new privileges and opportunities’ are the women of the time. During this time, women fighting for their rights and freedom were punished cruelly. The oppressive nature of this battle results in the women being the minority of the time. But years go by and eventually, the suffering and oppressive nature that the women put themselves through resulted in women equality.
Channon Lawrence
ReplyDeleteProfessor Mignano-Brady
EGL 102 (9:25 AM- 10:40 AM)
2 April 2020
The Story of An Hour
Throughout the short story, "The Story of An Hour," the author Kate Chopin digs deep into the life of a repressed woman during the 19th century. In the story, the main character is emotionally trapped, not in particular by her husband but her role in society. Chopin writes about the female perspective in marriage within a society that placed heavy limitations on the female form. Like the main character Louise Mallard, for many women, the 19th century was an oppressive era for wives in marriage, society, and at home. Women during this era did not have an outside outlet from what they were experiencing at home. Sadly, wives did not have the same liberties as their husbands. Through the story's thought-provoking dialogue derives the themes of freedom and confinement. The story provides a voice for countless women during a period that demanded their silence.
After discovering her husband's death, Louise Mallard is conflicted with grief. This state of heartbreak causes her to lock herself in her bedroom where her thoughts consume her. She begins to battle with herself, and her inner mind, it is a classic man versus self scenario. The love of her life is dead, and she is now a widow. However, as her thoughts fly free, her sadness quickly gives way to new feelings of freedom and independence. Hence, the themes of freedom and confinement come into play. According to Chopin, "She said it over and over under her breath: "free, free, free!" The taste of freedom liberated Mrs. Mallard, a woman who had been restricted by her marriage, her poor health, and the confinement of her home. At first, the thought of freedom terrifies her, but once she acknowledges it, she becomes filled with joy and independence. Chopin writes, "There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself." Thus, she experiences a mental and emotional awakening while being confined within the four walls of her bedroom. While looking through her bedroom window, Louise sees all the beauty her oppressive marriage prevented her from enjoying. Despite the love Louise had for her husband, Brently’s death served as a release from her despair as a wife. The author allows the audience to understand the lack of freedom for women, during a period of confinement as portrayed through Louise as well as a need for liberation.
Doctor Martin Luther King once said, "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." This statement is a true testimony to individuals who have fought for the rights and opportunities both men and women of the world enjoy today. The resolution of social issues does not transpire without great strive and determination. Furthermore, change does not come without great sacrifices. Thus, Dr. King's quote corresponds with “The Story of An Hour” themes of freedom and confinement, considering that it emphasizes a need for change and the social awakening of women. During this era, women were bound by marriage, therefore, after the "death" of Louise's husband, she believes these boundaries no longer apply to her. According to Chopin, "There would be no powerful will bend hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature." Therefore, she felt free to be an independent woman and have her own identity outside of marriage, so she thought. This causes her to gain a false sense of hope and feel free in a short amount of time. Louise was oppressed like many women in her society by marriage. But individuals cannot experience liberation without enduring pain and making sacrifices. Thus, suffering and sacrifice can be oppressive due to the toll it takes on the human psyche. For instance, the mental and emotional suffering of women during the 19th century was a sacrifice that led to the liberation of women during the 21st-century. The women's movement, during the 19th century, led to the transformation of women's social and political standing in history. The experience of women during this period is like the LGBTQ social movement for equal rights. In the past, LGBTQ individuals experienced discrimination and social limitations due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. However, LGBTQ communities strive for marriage equality during the 2000s as well as queer liberation bought great social changes for individuals of the community. Both groups have made great strides in history for the individuals and their communities to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
ReplyDeleteThe basic necessities of human life are food, water and shelter. However, being of your own self is something that we all need – our own sense of individualism. Unfortunately, this was not the case for women of the late 1800s, as they were seen as mere bodies in the face of men and the rest of society. Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour captures two essential themes that are easily depicted: having freedom is what everyone subconsciously wants, and a false sense of freedom can literally destroy people.
ReplyDeleteBeing ill with a heart condition, Louise Mallard was not far from from passing away. Her sister Josephine had been the one to break the news to her that her husband Brently Mallard had been killed in a railroad accident. As most people would, Louise was broken finding out the death of her husband, leaving her sister’s side and heading to her room alone. This is where Chopin begins to subtly introduce the first theme. Though Brently had just passed away, he describes a rather joyous and jovial scene. Sitting in an armed chair, Louise is sitting by the window seeing trees that “were all aquiver with new spring life…sparrows twittering in the eaves” and “patches of blue sky showering her”. If her husband had just lost his life, why was it that the scene set up was so elating? This was the event that Louise unknowingly needed for her to quietly say she was “Free! Body and soul free!” Being without her husband meant that there was no man in her life to control her anymore. She had much more freedom now than when she did when her husband was alive. These feelings overcame her grief and she was now overflowing with the happiness of freedom.
Chopin quickly turned Louise’s joy into a grief beyond what she originally felt. Louise let Josephine inside her room after her short moment of happiness. Her sister lead Louise down the stairs in fear of her heart giving up from the outbreak she was having. After coming downstairs, they noticed that somebody was opening the door. To everyone’s surprise, it had been Brently Mallard, who was presumable dead. He was far from the scene of the accident and didn’t know of one at all. After being under the impression that her husband had passed, seeing him before her broke Louise. Mixed with her existing heart disease, she died very short after. Chopin shows how a fake sense of freedom is painful for people to endure. Thinking that you are able to do as you please and not be controlled by other, then having that stripped from you, is destructive to a person mental and emotional health.
Martin Luther King Jr. said something that applies very well to these two themes. "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." Women would not achieve a sense of equality for the next thirty year when Congress passed the 19th amendment, granting women the right to vote. Though this was a step in the right direction, this was also an example of false freedom. Still for another forty years, women would be denied voting access in several places throughout the country, especially for women of color. Still through this, women were supposed to be in the house, be the ones to cook, clean and work around the house, lowering their standards, their abilities and the heights they were able to reach. It would take multiple movements, protests and marches for people to realize women should be given the same privileges and be seen as equals to others. If Louise could see where women have come from in the last 100 years, the same joy she felt back then would be how she feels now.
Nicholas Semetsis
ReplyDeleteProfessor Mignano- Brady
EGL 102
2 April 2020
“The Yellow Wallpaper”, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, is a complex metaphorical
expression of inequalities in gender and class in its time period. These metaphors are displayed
at all levels of the story, from what the characters say, to the descriptions of different aspects of
the house they are in, the putrid yellow wallpaper being at the forefront. There are also
countless themes represented throughout the story. Among the most prevalent of these themes
is that of gender roles, and how the characters are oblivious to the inequalities. It seems that the
main character, a woman, is constantly being put down by her husband, and never being taken
seriously. He , whether he means to or not, degrades her with pet names like “blessed little
goose” and “little goose”. The narrator is essentially conditioned to this kind of condescending
banter, and does not recognize that it is placing her at a point below her husband. Add in the
fact that she thinks her husband to be “wise”, and justify different controlling things he does to
herself frequently. Finally, he also puts her impending illness on the backburner, and does not
dignify it in the slightest by basically shooting down everything she says about it.
Another theme with an extreme presence is the correlation between the growing detail of
the yellow wallpaper, and the decline of the narrator's faith in her surroundings, as well as her
desire to escape. Being that the narrator is the source of our understanding regarding the
wallpaper, it comes as no surprise that as the story progresses, we get more and more detail
about it. This is because as time progresses, her patience is worn thin not only with the house
itself (and the wallpaper), but of her living conditions with her husband and his sister. At the
start, only basic aspects of the wallpaper were brought to light, like how it was “torn off in spots”.
Later, however, we receive details such as how the design looks like “strangled heads and
bulbous eyes and waddling fungus growths”.
The quote presented by Dr Martin Luther King Jr is a very prevalent one in this story.
The Yellow Wallpaper, being a story of a woman breaking free of the restrictions created in
traditional gender roles, is an example of the “somebody” in the quote suffering for them.
Women in the modern world can look back at the suffering of women like this character, and
draw inspiration from it to persevere. The quote relates not only to women’s rights, but the battle
for rights in all walks of life throughout history. Perhaps one of the broadest and deepest
examples of this are the freedoms granted in the United States of America, and the numerous
battles and wars won by people just like us in previous times to secure it. Freedom is not free by
any means, and as Martin Luther King Jr said, “...these new privileges and opportunities did not
come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them.”
Laura Canela
ReplyDeleteIn
“The Storm” by Kate Choppin, the author develops two themes. One of the themes is that sexual desires correspond to freedom. The story takes place during the late nineteenth century, when one of the duties of a woman was to be in domestic service for households.
Women did not have certain freedom at this time since they were homebound. They’re expected to take care of their husband when they’re home and their children. Furthermore, as the storm is occuring, Calixta is having an intimate moment with Alce Laballiere
while her husband and son are stuck at a shop due to the intense weather. At that moment, she felt a sense of freedom because her husband is not there; Calixta does not have to abide by the rules of being a good housewife. This highlights Calixta’s characterization
of rebellious and passionate. In addition, during their intimate moment, “they did not heed the crashing torrents, and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms...her firm, elastic flesh that was knowing for the first time its birthright.”
(Part II). Calixta’s euphoric state shows that she is content with going against the societal norms during that time period, which is being a good house-wife. It also seems that Calixta did not feel guilty of betraying her husband’s trust.
Another
Deletetheme that is developed in the short story is that the result of a natural disaster isn’t generally calamitous. During Calixta’s affair with Alce, she felt elated and a sense of freedom since her husband was not home and she was not bound to follow the rules
that apply to women during that time period. Once the storm passed, Bobint and Bibi arrived home. What was expected was that there would be an unfavorable outcome since there was a storm and Calixta had an affair. However, “Bobint and Bibi began to relax and
enjoy themselves, and when the three seated themselves at table they laughed much and so loud…” (Part III). The outcome of the storm was not calamitous as anticipated, rather the outcome was pleasant and joyful. Furthermore, Alce also had a favorable outcome.
He wrote a letter to his wife Clarisse that “he was getting on nicely...he was willing to bear the separation a while” (Part IV). Clarisse’s respond that she was doing well. Similar to Calixta’s situation, it was also anticipated that there would be a negative
result due to the storm and the affair; however, at the end Alce was satisfied. Additionally, the storm correlates to the conflict man vs. nature. Nature clearly represents the storm while man represents Bobint, Calixta, and Alce. Bobint and his son Bibi are
in trouble when they can’t get home due to the storm. They were both at a store, waiting until the storm passed to go home. While they were waiting, the storm “shook the wooden store and seemed to be ripping great furrows in the distant field” (Part I). It
is evident that the storm is very dangerous, so Bobint and Bibi’s lives are at risk. Alce was also going against the storm, when he showed up to Calixta’s porch because the weather was very intense. Alce “expressed an intention to remain outside...it was even
necessary to put something beneath the door to keep the water out” (Part II). This shows that the storm was extreme. Nature also brought forth another conflict which is infidelity. Because of the storm, Alce had to remain in Calixta’s house, which exposed their
strong sexual desires that led to them having an affair. This also coincides with Calixta’s problem of committing adultery due to the storm.
Dr.
Martin Luther King’s quote corresponds to “The Storm” because the story is about a woman wanting to obtain a sense of freedom but is unable to due to their strict role of performing domesticated duties in their home. One of their obligations is to stay at the
house and be a “good” wife and mother. Chopin shows that the only way Calixta was able to experience freedom was during the storm when her husband was physically unable to go home. Based on her strong sexual desire for Alce, she took that opportunity and betrayed
the role that women were given during this time period. This complements the theme that sexual desires correspond to freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King stated that the new privileges that women have today only occurred because other women sacrificed themselves
and fought for rights. They went through immense struggles in order to gain the rights that women have now. During the women’s rights movement, women fought for the idea to have equal rights with men. This includes women’s suffrage and equal pay. During this
time, women who went against their strict roles were arrested and at times punished by their husband. However, like King stated, without their suffering and sacrificing, we would not have the privileges we have today. This also connects to the idea of feminism
that is occurring in today’s time. Feminism is a social and political movement to fight for equality of the sexes. The story shows that Calixta was finally given a small opportunity for freedom because of the storm. She was stuck as a housewife because during
that time, that was her durity. But when Alce came over, she went against her domesticated role.
Jhanasia Thomas
ReplyDeleteEnglish 102
Professor Mignano - Brady
The two themes I see in the short story "The Storm" by Kate Chopin is passion and lust. The theme of Passion and lust is shown in the matter that Calixta is having an affair with Alcée. t Calixta has feeling that people would consider sexual needs that are not being addressed within her marriage to Bobinôt. So, she has to get such attention from the affair with Alcée. It is also possible that Calixta’s marriage lacks the passion that she would like it to have and by having an affair with Alcée she gets what she desires. Calixta is able to explore her sexuality and passions. The author allows us to understand these two themes by setting the time period and character development with telling us in many words that Calixta is a housewife “Calixta, at home, felt no uneasiness for their safety. She sat at a side window sewing furiously on a sewing machine. She was greatly occupied and did not notice the approaching storm.” Calixta wasn’t bothered by the rain because it didn’t interfere with her regular day. The conflict is Character vs. Character Calixta and Bobinôt. I think there is a conflict between them because Bobinôt isn’t giving Calixta what she needs so she has to go outside of the relationship to feel needed and wanted by a man. The quote "I want young men and young women who are not alive today… to know and see that these new privileges and opportunities did not come without somebody suffering and sacrificing for them." -Dr. Martin Luther King , is connects to the story “The Storm” by the aspects that the Calixta should be grateful that she has a husband like Bobinôt that goes out every day that love and cares for her but she misses the love that he doesn’t provide because he’s to busy giver her love and attention .
Steven Rosich
ReplyDeleteEnglish 102
Professor Brady
2 April 2020
In the short story “The Story of an Hour”, there are multiple underlying themes present throughout the story. The two main themes of the story are freedom and the inherent oppressiveness of marriage. The theme freedom and oppressiveness of marriage is shown when Louise learns about her husband's death, she is brought upon this thought of being free to live her life. Even though Louise is sad about her husband’s death, she cannot stop thinking about her new life now that she is free from her marriage. In the mid 1890’s, women were fighting for their rights and freedom to live freely was a difficult task. Once women are married, they are stuck in a lifeless reality with no real life to look forward to. Hearing that her husband died means she can look forward to a life she can enjoy without marriage holding her back. Freedom in this story is portrayed as the dream in which women of this time period seek but can never reach. Freedom was only achievable when her husband was no longer in the picture of her life. Oppressiveness of marriage is also portrayed in the story as being a chain on Louise’s life. Marriage was what held her back from enjoying a life she wanted. These two themes allow the audience to understand that the time period back then was different in how we see marriage today.
The quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Connects to the story as it shows how the women of the time period had to suffer in order for the future of women to live a better life and for the rights of women to be equal to those of men of that time period. The rights for women was a difficult battle to fight as many people did not support the idea of having equal rights. A battle that would take years to accomplish sets an example for the future that anything that is fought for comes with a challenge that maybe difficult to achieve. The themes relate to the quote as it shows what women and to go through during that time period and to show what is meant to be free from marriage and oppression. But without the suffering women during this time period had to deal with, there would not be this transformation of a better society in the future. It was needed for someone to step up and make a change to what is socially wrong. This connects to society today as around the world, there are places where women do not have the same rights as other women around the world. In some of these places, women are treated worse than how women were treated in the 1890’s where Louise lived.