“The Wife” by Emily Dickinson and “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin both explore themes related to marriage and the role of women in the 19th century. In “The Story of an Hour” by Chopin, the story follows Louise Mallard, who initially mourns her husband’s death but then unexpectedly feels a sense of liberation. She thinks about the newfound freedom with lines like, “She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long.” This echoes the idea that marriage can be constraining, just like in Dickinson’s poem. It shows initial fear of a long life bound by marriage and societal expectations. “The Story of an Hour” takes a tragic turn when Louise’s husband returns alive and the shock of seeing him again leads to her demise.
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