“A Rose for Emily” by Faulkner and “Story of an Hour” by Chopin Essay Example

newly discovered urge for self-assertion, which fills her with a sense of freedom (Chopin 78).

Both Miss Emily and Mrs. Mallard struggle against societal pressure in their pursuit of love. Mrs. Mallard experiences a rare enlightenment that surpasses her love for her husband, but her newfound independence is short-lived as it is taken away by his arrival.

Miss Emily referred to Homer Barron, a northerner, as "a Yankee," according to Faulkner (93). Their relationship faced criticism due to their differing backgrounds. The public became involved when the relationship was revealed, causing gossip about Miss Emily's conduct. As a member of an upper-class family, she was expected to adhere to noblesse oblige and maintain proper behavior. However, some elderly members of the community believed that even grief could not excuse neglecting one's responsibility as a lady under noblesse oblige.

In the era when these tales occurred, women were required to adhere to certain societal expectations. Mrs. Mallard yearned for something that she couldn't fully grasp until her husband's passing. Her longing for freedom, which was strictly prohibited for married women, became achievable only after discovering she had become a widow. With no one else to live for in the future, she could finally live on her own terms.

Miss Emily and Mrs. Mallard were prevented from embracing their true love due to society's expectations, which led to a belief among men and women that they have the right to impose their private will upon others. As Chopin (78) wrote, "There would be no powerful will bending her in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow

creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination."

Both "A Rose for Emily" and "Story of an Hour" have opposing climaxes. In "A Rose for Emily," the town's speculation about Miss Emily's love affair foreshadows her future actions. The townspeople initially thought she would marry Homer Barron, but later believed she would convince him to marry her despite Homer's known reluctance to commit. This is demonstrated by Faulkner's words, "he liked men, and it was known that he drank with the younger men in the Elks' Club - that he was not a marrying man" (94).

Miss Emily's unstable need for love drove her to purchase arsenic and keep Homer Barron against his will. When members of the town entered Miss Emily's house, they found Homer Barron's body in her bedchamber. It seemed as though his body had once been in an embracing position, but the final sleep that outlasts love had taken over, leaving him a mere skeleton in a rotting nightshirt, tangled in the bed. Faulkner states, "Miss Emily not only poisoned her lover, but also remained with his rotting body until her own eventual death." This action only intensified her desperate need for companionship and displayed a pitiful lack of reality.

Upon discovering a head indentation on the second pillow, we lifted something from it and saw a long strand of iron-gray hair. The faint and invisible dust was dry and acrid in our nostrils (Faulkner 97). Mrs. Mallard experienced immense disappointment when she found out that Mr. Mallard was not dead, leading to

the demise of all her hopes and desires.

Upon using a latchkey, Brently Mallard, who appeared slightly disheveled from his travels, calmly entered the front door while carrying his grip-sack and umbrella. He was unaware of any incident that had taken place, as he had been far away at the time. Upon hearing Josephine's sharp cry and seeing Richards move quickly to shield him from his wife's gaze, he stood in astonishment. (Chopin 79).

Mrs. Brently passed away from what was identified as "heart disease - of joy that kills" after experiencing the clarification referred to in Chopin's story (79). Nonetheless, by tracing her thinking throughout the narrative, it is evident that she was actually killed by the crushing disappointment she felt after being so pleased. For the two women, whose differing perspectives highlighted a stark contrast, love did not bring about the anticipated or desired outcome but rather led to their tragic deaths.

Both women ended with a somber outcome due to the contrasting methods they used to pursue love. Miss Emily Grierson went against societal norms and chose a man who was openly opposed to marriage due to her desperation for love. This, along with her mental instability fueled by her need for affection, led to the disappearance and eventual discovery of the death of Homer Barron. Ultimately, both ladies were subject to the expectations of society on how they should act towards their romantic interests. Miss Emily's elevated social status deemed her unsuitable for Homer Barron, while the circumstances of Mrs._____ remain unknown.

According to societal rules, Mallard had to adhere to certain mandates. However, after her husband's return, Mallard was deeply disappointed and

it ultimately resulted in her death. Her love for freedom and independence was granted and taken away in a single day.

Both women had feelings of love, but when they experienced the loss of love, they each reacted differently. Miss Emily became a murderer, while Mrs. Mallard passed away.