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The 19th century is characterized by women discrimination in society, whereby the role of women is to offer basic services at home. Female prejudice increased during the 1800s, leading to the drawing of occupational lines regarding the exact jobs that women and men could handle. As a result, women commenced feeling underrated and ignored in the making of critical family and societal decisions, hence yearning for independence. In marriages, women were seen as unequal partners whose role is to take orders from their husbands (Ahmed 1). Therefore, the 1894 short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin develops an understanding regarding the 19th-century women oppression, reflecting the present challenges that women face in society, hence cherishing any little freedom.
Notably, domestic duties and insignificant employment opportunities were the women occupations in the past, and it can be traced in the contemporary society. According to Hughes, it was rare and unheard in some occasion for women to work alongside their brothers, husbands, and other inner family members in managing a business (1). The short story “The Story of an Hour” develops the role of women understanding in the community vividly, whereby the narrator presents Louise Mallard comfortably seated at her home. In contrast, Brently, her husband, has gone to his workplace (Chopin 7). Holistically, the role of women is critically established, showing that during the 19th century, white-collar jobs were for men while domestic duties were solely done for females. Ahmed mentions that the present obstacle women are facing is an evolution of the past oppression whereby women could not climb to top occupational seats (1). There are fewer women in the upper jobs, including president and leaders of critical parastatals as opposed to men. Connectedly, Chopin’s text presents an understanding regarding the diverse challenges that women were facing since the 19th century, calamities that are in existence even now.
Additionally, women faced significant oppression in their respective marriages during the 19th century, making them feel desperate. According to Hughes, the rights and freedoms of women were infringed, for example, the right to vote (1). Similarly, the rejoicing that Louise Mallard develops when she gets the news that her husband is dead, critically exemplify oppression. Louise opines that she is free while staring at the outside trees when she is in the bedroom (Chopin 21). Arguably, her words develop a comprehension regarding the different challenges and oppression that women were going through in the society of the nineteenth century. Ahmed adds that women are presently facing family oppression, whereby they must balance between motherhood and occupation, and subsequently expected to deliver the same way that their male counterparts deliver (2). Mothers are expected to coordinate family chores and equally manage their occupation without an error, which is sometimes hectic to attain. Unlike in the past where women were feeling lonely because of interaction restrictions, presently, women are oppressed by the high and duo duties, expected to deliver highly as men.
Besides, women in marriages do not necessarily face physical abuse and violence but also go through high degrees of psychological torture. Ahmed alludes that the emotional torture that women undergo is hazardous equal and even surpasses domestic violence (2). Married women were suffering underneath in the past and even continue to suffer in the present world voicelessly. Understandably, Josephine and Louise’s friend, Richards, seem to see that everything between Louise and Brently’s marriage is perfect even after her death. When Louise goes into her room fantasizing and even shouting how she has found freedom, both Josephine and Richards think that she is crying for the death of her ‘lovely’ husband (Chopin 26). Inwardly, Louise is happy that the long-awaited freedom has finally come, whereby she will never have someone to bother her when deciding to go out and meet her friends. It is at this point that the audience comprehends that she has emotional stress and torture despite not fighting with her husband physically. Hence, women in the past and even today are facing great emotional torment as opposed to physical abuse.
Furthermore, married women in the 19th century were alienated their rights to independence, a significant form of oppression. According to Hughes, males dictated everything that could happen in the family and the real way that their wives need to conduct themselves before them and society (4). Chopin presents this analogy when she develops a picture of Louise Mallard not wanting her sister to enter her room and console her after the death of her husband, Brently (28). The reason behind her objection is that she feels good when she is alone, viewing how the outside environment is beautiful and not stressed. Louise pictures how she will live comfortably without her husband, an indication that she has obtained the required independence. It is at this point that Hughes mentions that men were undermining the rights and freedoms of their wives during the ninetieth century (3). Whatever that women wanted to do, whether, within the family or society, husbands were huge obstacles. Therefore, women in marriage faced colossal obstacles and embedment from men, in the 1800s.
Moreover, women had no alternative to evade the subjugation awaiting them in society. At the moment Louise Mallard sees her husband at the doorstep, she collapses, and the doctors denounce her death, claiming that it is the joy that has killed her (Chopin 37). Louise’s experience demonstrates the fact that women had limited options during the 19th century. Symbolically, the death of Louise presents a critical comprehension that the only option that females had in the 1800s to evade oppression from men was to kill themselves. As long as they are alive, they are subject to the coercion of their husbands and the male-chauvinism and society that applauds male egocentrism. Hughes focuses on an ancient society where men commanded respect, equating women to children, expecting them to act like ‘angels’ in the house (4). In other words, wives were to embrace obedience to their husbands apart from coordinating different household chores. Thus, societal oppression was like a culture, whereby every woman in society had to face it during the ninetieth century.
In conclusion, it is paramount to note that the short story “The Story of an Hour” develops a comprehensive picture pertaining to the respect, regard, and honor that women received in marriage and society. Through Kate Chopin’s piece, the audience develops a critical reflection about the challenges that ladies are facing in marriage presently. Louise Mallard, in the text, is a vivid example of the different emotional challenges and abuses that women face in marriages, hence requiring independence and rejoicing freedom anytime it comes. Her decision to celebrate and project how her life will be better after receiving information that Brently is dead explicitly symbolizes the suffering that women are going through in their marriages. However, they opt to stay in the relationship instead of divorcing. Above all, there is a need for couples to embrace dialogue and mutual understanding to discuss different issues affecting their relationship.
Works Cited
Ahmed, Fairuz. “Gender Inequality and Oppression of Women: A Survivor’s Story.” Inter Press Service. 2020.
Chopin, Kate. “The Story of an Hour.” Jimcin Recordings. 1894.
Hughes, Kathryn. “Gender Roles in the 19th Century.” Discovering Literature: Romantics and Victorians. British Library, 2014, 1-6.
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