Comparing Eveline And The Storm

Commonly explored throughout her works, the idea of marriage inhibiting a woman’s freedom is the driving force behind Kate Chopin’s contextual objections to propriety. In particular, The Awakening and “The Story of an Hour” explore the lives of women seeking marital liberation and individuality. Mrs. Chopin, who was raised in a matriarchal household, expresses her opposition to the nineteenth century patriarchal society while using her personal experiences to exemplify her feminist views.

There is no doubt her husband loves and cares for her but her feelings and passion seemed untouched by Bobinot. Before her marriage, Alcee seemed to satisfy her in a way that Bobinot does not, but since she loves her family she represses those feelings. The story of Calixta is saddening to me but as a mother myself, I can understand why she chooses to repress her feelings. Her husband seems to give her no cause to disrupt family life and leave the marriage and she does not make that decision based on pure selfish reasons. Her choice simply relieved her possible frustrations for a while.

Kate Chopin’s controversial novel, The Awakening, ignited turmoil because of her blatant disregard of the established 19th century perspective of women upholding strictly maternal and matrimonial responsibilities. Edna’s candid exploration of the restrictions on women through her liberal behavior in a conservative Victorian society makes her a literary symbol for feminist ideals. Despite denunciation from other people, Edna chooses individuality over conformity through her veering from traditional obligations. Edna indulges in her love of art, which is considered to conflict with her expected singular devotion to her household. Exploring her sexuality rather than repressing any sexual awareness constructs her feministic mentality.

Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” can arguably be considered a feminist piece, but regardless of whether it is or not, the short story unmistakably describes how life was for women in the late 1800’s. Her story is a great example of the sexist views of the time and existing social roles for each gender. The literature includes a large interplay between society and gender roles, which affected the reader’s response to the plot and other literary devices such as imagery back then and even today.

By this standard, Calixta is seen as slightly inferior to the rest of the girls. Of course no matter how much leeway her Spanish blood may give her, Calixta still had scandalous stories told about her.

In “The Storm” Kate Chopin uses imagery, and symbolism in order to show that a woman can consume additional roles and acknowledge that sex can exist outside of marriage for women, just as well as for men. In the literary work, the main character is a woman who does not follow the ideal image of what a woman should be. The ideal image of a woman, according to “The Cult of True Womanhood” is to withhold four cardinal virtues, those being; piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity. However, in “The Storm” we see that there is self-conflict within the main character to stay true to her roles, or true to herself.

At the height of their encounter, Chopin says that Calixta “is knowing for the first time [her] birthright,” which represents the birthright of feminine sexuality.

Woman throughout the years have experienced many society established conflicts. These conflicts are appreciated in four stories “The Storm” and “The story of an hour” by Kate Chopin (1851-1904), “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893), and “A&P” by John Updike (1932-2009). In these stories the feminine role portrayed by each author provides an insight of the image placed upon woman at their time in history. This imaged forced upon woman can be interpreted as the struggles in that moment of time. Thus struggles affect indirectly the way we see woman at present time.

Promoting the authority of men over women in the 19th and 20th century, the Napoleonic code denied and relinquished women’s rights, such as leaving the house , working, and even controlling their own bodies. Due to the limitations that these rules put on women, it made it very difficult to build their own self-identity and have happy and fulfilled lives. The Napoleonic code influenced not only Europe, but also other countries such as the United States, as men and women alike were convinced that women did not deserve the same rights as men. While both women in Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” and William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” respond to their situations after obtaining freedom in different ways, they illustrate the multiple facets of women’s oppressed social conditions during that era which caused many women various manifestations of depression, other physical and mental ailments, and for many, lead to loneliness and unfulfilled lives.

The release of repression on their feelings was immense that they were not able to control themselves as they wanted each other for sex in the past. It was not until the moment that he kissed her on the lips, they began having sex. Calixta commits adultery because “the generous abundance of her passion, without a guile or trickery.” (Chopin 101). Her passion has overcome her rationality. Undoubtedly, she was genuine and honest in her passion for her husband and son but this passion ends with the departure of her husband and son. By sleeping with Alcee, Calixta feel fulfilled and satisfied “Calixta watched Alcee ride away… as she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud.” (Chopin 102). She was not ashamed of what she did; in fact she was happy that she has fulfilled her wish that has been lasted for many years.

Kate Chopin’s short story, “The Storm” was written in 1898, but because of the sexual nature of the story it never appeared in print during Chopin’s lifetime. The Storm was first published in The Complete Works of Kate Chopin in 1969 (Lombardi). Chopin’s writings were well ahead of her time, and many attribute this to feminist leanings. No matter the root of what caused her writing, Chopin was a strong woman who wrote about strong women. During the late 1800’s societal norms were for the husband to be the head of the family, and as such he was in control of his wife.

The struggle of gaining rights for women isn't a new one. Since the beginning of time, women have suffered from inequality. For centuries, women have been under the thumb of oppression. “The Story of an Hour”, by Kate Chopin, written in the 19th century opens up the topic of the issues essential to feminism, also pertaining to self-identity and the rights of women. Louise Mallard, the protagonist’s marriage is the personification of 19th century marriage, a cage for women.

change in her life by moving with her boyfriend Frank from her homeland of Ireland and making a life with him in Buenos Ayres. Joyce illustrates that one of our most inherent qualities as humans and one that Eveline displays is that we are resistant to change. Through Eveline's relationships with her father, Frank and various peripheral relationships, Joyce demonstrates to us how Eveline has come to have certain beliefs about change.

“The Storm” takes place in Louisiana at the home of Calixta and the store Friedheimer during the 1900’s. The protagonist Calixta is a married woman with a son named Bibi. She seems to be a stay at home mother who receives helps only a few days a week by a woman named Sylvie. At home, she works hard to keep the house clean and orderly. Calixta is a pretty woman who loves her husband, but there is something that she feels is missing from their relationship. However, she does not realize this void until Alcee comes along.

Eveline was a female that was brought up in a poor area of Dublin, Ireland. As with all underprivileged areas around the world things were harsh. There was a higher importance placed on morals and values. Eveline’s job was to care for her father and the house after her mother passed. A promise she made to her mother on her deathbed, and promises are to be kept. She also had two children that she oversaw caring for. Her responsibilities were routine, comfortable, and safe. There is nothing that the human race likes more than routine. There is a comfort that comes with knowing how