Presenting Plight of Humanity and Women in an Oppressive Society in Kate Chopin’s “Story of an Hour”

Regionalism author Kate Chopin and Victorian poet Robert Browning. Рave masterfully created literature classics depicting the plight of humanity. Chopin's short story Story of an Hour and Browning's epic poem My Last Duchess have effectively presented the reader. With women within their oppressive society. However, the authors present unique techniques to convey societal oppression. As influenced by their literary genres. Chopin and Browning convey the plight of humanity. Through their characters by masterfully utilizing diction to create implied oppression and loss of identity.

Chopin and Browning's works discuss the topic of marriage; moreover, marriage squanders identity. Since Chopin introduces Louise Mallard as "Mrs. Mallard," Chopin emphasizes her loss of identity of identity due to her marriage. A passive voice utilized in the beginning paragraph avoids. The subject altogether; Chopin later describes Louise as "young with a fair. Calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength" (lines 29-30). Chopin manipulates diction to imply that Louise has suffered. Which a reader can imply is due to oppression from Brently and their marriage.

Chopin also describes Louise's self-actualization as "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" (lines 37-38) depicting society's view of this newly widowed woman. Chopin distinguishes society's expectations of women through an interpretation as the cause of Louise's death by including the doctor's diagnosis: "she has died of heart disease -- of joy that kills" (lines 79-80). Whereas Chopin's piece focuses around Louise until her death, Browning's epic poem reports the Duchess's oppression from the perspective of her husband after her death. Browning never includes thoughts or an interpretation from the Duchess; the Duchess has no other identification besides her title given to her through marriage. The Duchess is not identified by any other means than "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall" (line 1).

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Chopin and Browning also discuss the topic of loneliness; furthermore, loneliness resulting in destruction. In My Last Duchess, Browning has the Duke dictate "Sir, 'twas not / Her husband's presence only, called that spot / Of joy into the Duchess' cheek" questioning her joyous blush as painted in the portrait by Fra Pandolf within Victorian era societal expectations, yet the Duchess was left alone with Pandolf. The Duke then remarks how easily impressed the Duchess was to constantly "call upon that spot of joy" (line 21). Chopin, however, juxtaposes Louise's self-actualization with her death. Chopin describes Louise as having "a feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory." Louise is so elated with her newfound freedom and opportunity that she carries herself in a new way. However, Louise must unlock the door to descend the stairs after realizing her identity. By having Louise lock herself away, Chopin emphasizes Louise's isolation as she searches for her identity. Chopin then juxtaposes Louise's isolation and self-actualization with the reappearance of Brently and Louise's untimely death.

Chopin and Browning also address the topic of oppression; specifically, oppression as it squanders the individuality of the oppressed. Despite Brently being a loving husband, his powerful will domineered Louise causing her to wonder at the thought that "there would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself" (line 50). Chopin challenges the idea of motherhood and the misconception of women feeling they are only complete when married, which squanders the identity of the woman who must then become a mothering figure. Chopin also provides commentary by including a description of Louise transcending the look of "a goddess of Victory" (line 71) relating her self-actualization to besides her title given to her through marriage. The Duchess is not identified by any other means than "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall" (line 1).

Chopin and Browning also discuss the topic of loneliness; furthermore, loneliness resulting in destruction. In My Last Duchess, Browning has the Duke dictate "Sir, 'twas not / Her husband's presence only, called that spot / Of joy into the Duchess' cheek" questioning her joyous blush as painted in the portrait by Fra Pandolf within Victorian era societal expectations, yet the Duchess was left alone with Pandolf. The Duke then remarks how easily impressed the Duchess was to constantly "call upon that spot of joy" (line 21). Chopin, however, juxtaposes Louise's self-actualization with her death.

Chopin describes Louise as having "a feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory." Louise is so elated with her newfound freedom and opportunity that she carries herself in a new way. However, Louise must unlock the door to descend the stairs after realizing her identity. By having Louise lock herself away, Chopin emphasizes Louise's isolation as she searches for her identity. Chopin then juxtaposes Louise's isolation and self-actualization with the reappearance of Brently and Louise's untimely death.

Chopin and Browning also address the topic of oppression; specifically, oppression as it squanders the individuality of the oppressed. Despite Brently being a loving husband, his powerful will domineered Louise causing her to wonder at the thought that "there would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself" (line 50). Chopin challenges the idea of motherhood and the misconception of women feeling they are only complete when married, which squanders the identity of the woman who must then become a mothering figure.

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