Comparing A & P And Story Of An Hour
BrEaking the Norm
John Updike’s “A & P” and Kate Chopin’s “Story of an Hour” resemble each other in the sense that both want to break out of the social standard that they have been molded into. When a chance to go beyond their usual limitations is presented, both Sammy and Mrs. Mallard realize they are able to walk towards the freedom they long for. Despite the difference in situation...Both Sammy and Mrs. Mallard struggle within themselves to cope with social norms set for them. In the brief moment they are given a chance to escape the norm and live a life of freedom they long for, both characters act upon that chance.
It is true that in breaking out of their norms they still acted within the "normal" border. Sammy breaks out of his norm because he doesn't want the girls to think he’s like Stokesie and Lengel. Mrs. Mallard fights the feeling of joy …show more content…
“Story of an Hour” is structured short and very detailed to portray the emotional journey and realization Mrs. Mallard goes through while in her room. Kate Chopin illustrates the transition Mrs. Mallard undergoes as she stares out the window and observes the "new spring life, a delicious breath of spring rain is in the air, the clouds are parting to show patches of blue sky, and there are even the birds singing the bees" (115). In this moment Mrs. Mallard feels liberated from the chains society expects from her. Realizing she no longer has to love her husband and live her life next to him, she remembers that she is “young, with fair calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength” (115). As with Sammy, watching the girls break the rules releases his true feelings about his life. He realizes that there exists a life outside of the normal sheep he sees walking in the same direction down the aisle everyday. The thirst for a life that is unknown to them both excites
John Updike’s “A & P” and Kate Chopin’s “Story of an Hour” resemble each other in the sense that both want to break out of the social standard that they have been molded into. When a chance to go beyond their usual limitations is presented, both Sammy and Mrs. Mallard realize they are able to walk towards the freedom they long for. Despite the difference in situation...Both Sammy and Mrs. Mallard struggle within themselves to cope with social norms set for them. In the brief moment they are given a chance to escape the norm and live a life of freedom they long for, both characters act upon that chance.
It is true that in breaking out of their norms they still acted within the "normal" border. Sammy breaks out of his norm because he doesn't want the girls to think he’s like Stokesie and Lengel. Mrs. Mallard fights the feeling of joy …show more content…
“Story of an Hour” is structured short and very detailed to portray the emotional journey and realization Mrs. Mallard goes through while in her room. Kate Chopin illustrates the transition Mrs. Mallard undergoes as she stares out the window and observes the "new spring life, a delicious breath of spring rain is in the air, the clouds are parting to show patches of blue sky, and there are even the birds singing the bees" (115). In this moment Mrs. Mallard feels liberated from the chains society expects from her. Realizing she no longer has to love her husband and live her life next to him, she remembers that she is “young, with fair calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength” (115). As with Sammy, watching the girls break the rules releases his true feelings about his life. He realizes that there exists a life outside of the normal sheep he sees walking in the same direction down the aisle everyday. The thirst for a life that is unknown to them both excites