Comparing Karen Van Der Zee And A Secret Sorrowful Woman

After reading A Secret Sorrow by Karen Van Der Zee and “A Sorrowful Woman” by Gail Godwin one can tell they are not only different but alike in many ways. The names of these two pieces of work are not only similar however, the tone/mood, characters, and theme also have similarities and differences. While these two works of literature are exceptionally good in their own way, the difference between Gail Godwin's work compared to Karen Van Der Zee makes it a better piece of literature. The first literary element that is conveyed great in both stories is known as the tone or mood. At the beginning of A Secret Sorrow the mood is really sad and concerning and, we do not know why. The first couple of sentences at the beginning of the story makes

In A Secret Sorrow the woman, Faye, is very loving and passionate to her boyfriend Kai. One can tell she loves him because she would rather lose the love of her life, than have him go unhappy. Faye says to to Kai “I can’t live all my life with your regret and your disappointment. Every time we see some pregnant woman… somebody else’s children I’ll feel I’ve failed you! (Van der Zee 35).” Faye saying this to Kai shows how she does not want to let him down nor hurt him, meaning she really cares for him. In “A Sorrowful Woman” the mother/wife is nearly the opposite of Faye. This mother would do anything to get rid of her family while Faye would do anything for hers. In the story of “A Sorrowful Woman” it says “The sight of them made her so sad and sick she did not want to see them ever again (Godwin 38).” The woman in this story takes her family for granted, while Faye from A Secret Sorrow desperately wants a family. The two stories are similar when comparing the men in each. The husbands in each are very caring and loving to their woman, no matter the terrible circumstances. In A Secret Sorrow Kai cares that Faye can not have children, despite this,he would still rather stay with her. In “A Sorrowful Woman” the husband takes care of the child without the mom and with all that responsibility still tries to help his wife. He knows she is the way she is however, he still gives her what she wants in hope

In A Secret Sorrow the tragedy of Faye not being able to have kids is a real central point. Her not being able to start a family really tears her down emotionally and for this, she would rather have Kai marry someone else. Kai is loving and passionate for her so he says this about the situation “No other woman can give the facets of your personality that make up the final you. I’ve known other women, Faye, but none of them have ever stirred in me any feelings that come close to what if feel for you (Van der Zee 35).” This horrible ordeal in the story turns to good eventually because they are deeply in love with each other. The love throughout the story illustrates the theme love conquers all. “In A Sorrowful Woman” the wife/mother hates her family with her guts. The woman wants nothing to do with her husband and child while, they still deeply care for her. The father is real caring and even takes her out on dinner dates with hopes of getting her better. The poor child misses his mother and always asks for her. When the child kisses her for the first times she gets a taste of baby spit and says “I don’t think I can see him anymore (Godwin 41).” While the boy and father do everything in their power to love her, she does not love them back. At the end of the story she dies despite her family's love and support. Contrary to A Secret Sorrow the theme of this novel is love does not conquer all,