The concept of independence is one of the most prominent themes in Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour and Emily Dickinson’s poem “The Wife.” For example, once the shock of knowing that her husband had died has worn off, Louise realizes that she now has the freedom to live her own life. Emily Dickinson emphasizes personal issues of independence, society, and women in her poem “The Wife.”
“She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long” (Chopin). This quote demonstrates Louise’s fear of her existence, foreseeing years of monotonous, unchangeable reliance and subjugation. Brently’s death, on the other hand, leaves her free and independent, and her existence becomes suddenly worthwhile.
“If aught she missed in her new day
Of amplitude, or awe,
Or first prospective, or the gold
In using wore away,” (Dickinson).
Mrs. Mallard was unable to be herself during her marriage, as these lines demonstrate. She wonders how her days will be now that she is self-sufficient and can do whatever she wants.
3 thoughts on “Wilvyn Jimenez Week 9 Discussion”
To add on to what you said, i think Ms. Mallard loved her husband but cherishes her newfound independence even more after Brently’s death. Back then women were possessions to their husbands, they were no different than maids. Despite this, Brently loved Ms. Mallard, the reading states ” he never looked save with love upon her”, meaning that Brently never looked at her except with love. Ms. Mallard’s marriage was paradoxical, at times she loved him but would fantasize about an escape from the marriage.
Wilvyn, your comments are very well taken. As you note, independence is an idea that runs through both works of literature. Mrs. Mallard has not even acknowledged how deeply she longs for independence; she only lets the feeling rise to the surface after the death of her husband. The lines from the poem that you quote speak to all the potential and experience the described wife must relinquish in her new role.
Hey Wilyvn, I really enjoyed reading your response to the articles what stood out to me the most was the way you compared the two articles and compared what similarities they had that was a like or something that also was different, another thing that really stood out to me was the evidence you provided to support your responses from each story and they both related to each other in some way which was very good.