In both “The Awakening” and “The Story of an Hour” Kate Chopin made an unprivileged female living in the nineteenth century her main character. In both of Chopin’s works, the character has conflict involving the love between her and her husband. In “The Story of an Hour” it’s stated, “Often, she had loved him sometimes; often she had not.” (Chopin 2) This, talking about Mrs. Mallard's’ feelings for Mr. Mallard, could possibly relate to Kate Chopin’s personal relationship with her husband. Chopin was put into a marriage in which she didn’t especially want to be in. For the most part, her husband adored her and gave her a fair amount of freedom at that time. Chopin might have felt, just like Mrs. Mallard, she wasn’t completely free while with her husband. But when Chopin’s husband died, she was left with debt, and five children to care for, giving her little time to be free. This could relate to Edna Pontellier’s parenting; or lack thereof. Considering that Chopin has an arranged marriage, she might have secretly been unhappy, hence why all of her characters have similar struggles to her.
I agree with your connection and I wrote something vaguely similar. Chopin strived for an independent lifestyle, which was near impossible during her time period. All of her bodies of writing have a related theme of the struggle she dealt with in her own life.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I didn't even think about it. I also think Chopin wrote about the struggles that she herself experienced or situations she could relate to. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I hadn't realize the connection until you pointed it out. The both women desire freedom and it's very painful watching them under their husband's control. You're so smart Eve :)
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