Kate Chopin's stories were completed during the Antebellum Era. Women strived for social change during the Antebellum Era. This may be illustrated through each of the stories presented. The theme of marriage and male/female relationships is prevalent in every single story outlined by Kate Chopin. However, each story's representation of male/female relationships and marriage slightly differ. The male/female relationship and marriage were deadly during the era in which Kat Chopin's stories, “The Storm,” “Désirée's Baby,” and “The Story of an Hour,” were constructed.
The first story, “The Storm,” illustrates marriage and male/female relationships in a certain manner. Marriage is illustrated through the characters Alcée and Clarisse. However, he also has a male/female relationship that is revealed through his interaction with Calixta. The classic view of women in society during the Antebellum Era is identified. Yet, the story goes beyond the traditional view to reveal the fact that not all women were submissive to the constraints of their marriage. Clarisse desired and actively requested time away from their marriage. Calixta illustrated that all women were not submissive in their marriage by committing adultery with Alcée. The scene may be illustrated through the section of the story that reads, “When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy, inviting his lips. Her mouth was a fountain of delight. And when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life's mystery.” (Chopin. “The Storm)
[...] The previously mentioned statement illustrates this. It almost seemed as if she was suddenly ridden of the disease that plagued her. She was immediately stricken with the disease again when she seen her husband alive. This is illustrated through her death once faced with his appearance. In conclusion, each story presented the severe consequences of the stereotypical Antebellum Era marriage and male/female relationship. Women maintained roles that constrained them. However, once they were free from the roles, they were able to live and enjoy life. [...]
[...] The deadly concept of marriage Kate Chopin's stories were completed during the Antebellum Era. Women strived for social change during the Antebellum Era. This may be illustrated through each of the stories presented. The theme of marriage and male/female relationships is prevalent in every single story outlined by Kate Chopin. However, each story's representation of male/female relationships and marriage slightly differ. The male/female relationship and marriage were deadly during the era in which Kat Chopin's stories, Storm,” “Désirée's and Story of an were constructed. [...]
[...] Ed. Sandra M. Gilbert. New York: Library of America 242-247. Kate Chopin. Storm.” Complete Novels and Stories. Ed. Sandra M. Gilbert. New York: Library of America 926-931. Kate Chopin. Story of an Hour.” Complete Novels and Stories. Ed. Sandra M. Gilbert. New York: Library of America 756-758. [...]
[...] The final story, Story of an reveals an additional point of view of male/female relationships and marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are the couple identified by Kate Chopin's story. The couple further illustrate the theme of marriage. The wife is ill when she receives the news that her husband died. Despite the slight grief, Mrs. Mallard is actually overcome with joy. Her mixed emotions are illustrated through the lines that read: And yet she had loved him--sometimes. Often she had not. [...]
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