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Insights on the story of an hour
Studying gender roles in literature
Insights on the story of an hour
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The role of gender in a relationship has always been a common topic in every society and culture since the later days. By the use of papers and pen, the writers express their feelings, deep felt emotions, personal experiences, views and issues about this certain topic. This subject has been prevalent in the world of literature since then. Ernest Hemingway in "Hills like White Elephants" and Kate Chopin in "The Story of an Hour" use the themes of oppression and repression to underscore two types of issues on male and female relations. Though these realism short stories does not share an exactly the same concept, both stories shows male and female roles in a relationship and society. To begin with, Ernest Hemingway's "Hills like White Elephants" is about the story of a couple, a girl named Jig and an American man, who have an unknown relationship. In the story the man and Jig is talking back and forth with a bit of tension between them. The man wants Jig to have abortion but Jigs seems hesitant. The man repeatedly says that Jig does not need to do the operation if she does not want to, but in reality, he is demanding her to do it. …show more content…
None of the female protagonists on the two said short stories has the power to control their own life. In the story "Hills like white Elephants," Jig makes an extent decision about the abortion of her baby in a manipulative way. In the other story, "The story of an hour" Mrs. Mallard was not happy with her marriage. As the narrator states, “There would be no powerful will bending hers...” (37) It describes the kind of relationship she has with her spouse. Hemingway and Chopin did a brilliant job in creating a story that shows how male and female roles differs before and how females having a weak characterization deals with situations that is almost beyond their
Ernest Hemingway has a superbly unique style of writing in Hills Like White Elephants. His short, to the point syntax and sentence style plays a great role in helping readers understand the theme of this short story. The critique M.A.K. Halliday observed, “The story is frequently generated by the repetition of words, clauses, and groups of related words or ethical sets” (Link, Alex). The first set of dialogue that can be pulled from this story is story is short and to the point. The American states, “We can have the whole world.” Jig replies with “No, we can’t” (Hemingway, Ernest). The sentence length is very short, yet there is a hidden meaning behind the small talk. Jig is referring to not having the baby. She can have everything, but her will to decide things. She can’t have a baby due to unloving pressure from the American. It is in sync with the tone of the story perfectly. The tone is forward, direct, and shallow. That is exactly what happens in this dialogue. There is no emotion, just pure sarcasm on a huge topic. Abortion to this couple is nothing more then a qui...
Even with the advancement of women in society, their roles and societal expectations have not changed. Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” and Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” are two stories with varied elements set in different periods in history, that show the role society has deemed as belonging to women. "The Story of an Hour" was written in the year 1894, almost a century before Kincaid wrote "Girl". However, despite the large gap in the times of the authors, a common theme emerges and that is the theme of the oppression of women and the role they are expected to assume in society.
In “Hills Like White Elephants” and “The Story of an Hour”, the woman in each story imprisons in the domestic sphere. In “Hills Like White Elephants”, the woman in this story conflicts between keeping the baby or getting abortion although the relationship with her boyfriend would not improve as he said. In “The Story of an Hour”, even though Louise Mallard, an intelligent, independent woman understands that she should grieve for Brently, her husband and worry for her future, she cannot help herself from rejoice at her newfound freedom. The author of this story, Kate Chopin suggests that even with a happy marriage, the loss of freedom and the restraint are the results that cannot be avoid.
“The Hills as White Elephants,” by Ernest Hemingway, tells a story about a couple who are expecting a baby, but want to have an abortion. The setting of the story takes places at a bar situated across of a train station in Madrid, Spain. The couple sits by the bar, and order some drinks. They began discussing about whether or not having the abortion. While they wait for the train the man convince the girl. Within the two works there are many similarities but also differences between the central idea, conflict and the language devices.
“The Hills Like White Elephants” is a short story that is about an American man and a girl called Jig. They are sitting at a table outside a train station, waiting for a train to Madrid. While they wait they order drinks and have a heated ongoing conversation over whether or not Jig will have an operation that would be of great significance to their relationship. “The Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway has two important symbols in the story, the hills and the drinks both of which help to give us a better understanding of what is going on between the American and his girl.
Kate Chopin is a phenomenal writer, with two published novels and over one hundred short stories, not only does her writing style keep the reader intrigued, but also the setting, dialect, and history behind her work tell a story all its own. Chopin uses contrast in her writing "The Story of an Hour" through the hints about the quality of Mr. And Mrs. Mallard 's marriage, Mrs. Mallards emotions toward her husband 's death, and Mrs. Mallards death to emphasize her theme of gender roles in a time when women had no rights.
Kate Chopin was one of the leading female writers of her time and did so with style and grace. Chopin used unconventional female characters often as the leading roles in her stories, which was unusual in late 1800 and early 1900 writings. Many people linchpin the significant roles of the powerful women in her stories, but the men played a very salient role in the empowerment of these women. In both of Chopin’s famous short stories, “The Story of an Hour” and “Desiree’s Baby” both have men who share similar traits and different traits as characters. In “The Story of an Hour” Chopin’s main male character, Brently Mallard, is indirectly characterized, while in “Desiree’s Baby” Chopin’s main male character, Armand Aubigny, is directly characterized.
‘Hills Like White Elephants’ is a short story authored by Ernest Hemingway about an American and a girl named Jig. In the story, the two are sitting in a train station waiting for the train to Madrid. While they wait, they have an intense ongoing debate on whether or not to abort Jig. At the end of the story, the train is about to arrive and the man carries luggage on the tracks as they prepare to leave. The end of the story does not clearly define the outcome of its decision. She said I feel good at the end of the story - happiness is a central theme of the story, but we wonder if she went through with the operation. The paper discusses the manner in which symbolism has been employed in the story to communicate about an abortion, the couple is considering to go through.
The story "Hills Like White Elephants" is a conversation between a young woman `Jig' and an American man waiting for a train at a station in Spain. The author never names the topic of their discussion but as their dialogue progresses; it becomes evident that Jig is pregnant. The man wants Jig to abort the unborn child but she is unconvinced and wants to become a mother. Hemingway has brilliantly written the story's dialogue which "captures the feel of a private conversation while at the same time communicating the necessary narrative background" (O'Brien 19). At the end of the story, it is unclear as to what decision has been made; however, Hemingway gives the reader several clues regarding what Jig feels, and what she wants to do. Jig's private thoughts are illuminated by Hemingway's description of the setting, the character, and the conflict. Stanley Renner suggests that, as a result of the couple's discussion, "Jig has become able to make a more clear-sighted estimation, and perhaps a better choice, of men" Wyche(59). The couple's inability to communicate effectively their true thoughts and emotions makes their dialogue very appealing. The story examines the gender differences and miscommunications as they influence the decision whether to abort the unborn child or not (Smiley). In his book on Hemingway, published in 1999, Carl P. Eby points out that "[f]or the past two decades, Hemingway criticism has been dominated by a reconsideration of the role of gender in his work" (Bauer 125).
“Hills Like White Elephants”, by Ernest Hemingway, is a short story published in 1927 that takes place in a train station in Spain with a man and a woman discussing an operation. Most of the story is simply dialogue between the two characters, the American and Jig. This couple is at a critical point in their lives when they must decide whether or not to have an abortion. Certain themes arise from this story such as choices and consequences, doubt and ambiguity, and how men and women relate. Hemingway also uses many examples of symbolism in “Hills Like White Elephants”, including descriptions of the surrounding scenery, the hills themselves, and the station where the action takes place. Clearly, this short story crosses timelines to become relevant to both the early twentieth century and modern times.
In "The Story of an Hour" Kate Chopin meticulously chooses diction that encourages a defined view of the female characters. The role Mrs. Mallard plays, as well as Josephine's, displays positive examples of feminine characterization in the story. Notably, it is important for the reader to recognize differences between the antagonist's opinion of Mrs. Mallard and the way she sees herself. Although the author in many ways displays both females as weak, she does so in order to provoke thoughts within the onlooker. Throughout the entirety of the writing, Chopin alludes to the need women have for others. Both positions played by women in this story initially exhibit women as weak, but a closer look demonstrates to readers their strength during tribulations.
In the short story by Ernest Hemingway, "Hills Like White Elephants," a couple is delayed at a train station en route to Madrid and is observed in conflict over the girl's impending abortion. In his writing, Hemingway does not offer any commentary through a specific character's point of view, nor, in the storytelling, does he offer his explicit opinions on how to feel or think about the issues that emerge. The narrative seems to be purely objective, somewhat like a newspaper or journal article, and in true Hemingway form the story ends abruptly, without the couple's conflict clearly being resolved. The ambiguity of the ending has been a subject of much debate; however, the impact of what is not said in words can be gleaned through the symbolism of their surroundings. Upon examination of the setting, the couple's final choice becomes instantly apparent.
Both stories show feminism of the woman trying to become free of the male dominance. Unfortunately, the woman are not successful at becoming free. In the end, the two women’s lives are drastically
“Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway is a short story outlining a conversation between a girl called Jig and an unnamed man referred to as the American Man. Throughout the story the two are discussing a topic, but never deliberately say it in the text, however it is implied that they are debating abortion. Jig and the American Man are in a relationship and she becomes pregnant, but the American wants Jig to get rid of the baby. Looking past the actual story, readers can see certain literary devices used in the story. For example, Hemingway uses writing style, symbolism, effect of the tone, and setting to portray certain feelings and thought to the readers through these devices.
In this short story” Hills like White Elephants” written by Ernest Hemingway, one of the main characters is called as “the man” or “ the American”. Through the entire story, there is no descriptions about the background information of this American. When the story starts, the man and his girlfriend is waiting at the train station in Spain. Through their conversation, it is clear to see that his girlfriend recently becomes pregnant. From the description of their luggages “ There were labels on them from all the hotels where they had spent nights.” (Hemingway), the man must have a romantic relationship with this girl and they enjoy themselves during these trips. Even though, the author doesn’t show any clues about this American, we can still