Husband And Wife example essay topic

Since the 19th century, the conception of male-female relationships and marriage has evolved, but not necessarily, as many would consider, in the right direction. The divorce rate has soared in this day and age, and continues to climb at an alarming rate. In previous centuries, the term "divorce" was practically unheard of. Strong morals and religious beliefs preserved marriages, despite the couple's disagreements. Kate Chopin, born in 1851, was a women's rights activist who expresses her view on this topic in her work, "The Story of an Hour". In this story, she emphasizes the inferiority that wives had to endure during the 19th century, as well as their, "need for independence and capacity for passion".

(Walker) Ernest Hemingway is another author who depicts the hardships encountered during marriage in his work, "Cat in the Rain". In this story, he focuses on the characteristics of a lack luster marriage, gone bad. Although these authors and their works are from a different era, similar conflicts remain very much a part of the modern lifestyle of individuals involved in relationships or marriages. However, because of its relative ease, undergoing divorce has become the popular solution exercised by a great percentage of couples in today's world.

In, "Story of an Hour", Kate Chopin explains the emotions of a wife experiencing the sudden loss of her husband. Although minimal information is revealed concerning the husband, we can infer a great deal about relationships during this time, through the wife's response to her husband's death. Her initial feelings of grief and denial quickly transform into a sense of dignified freedom. This era is obviously characterized by a significance of status, with the husband playing the dominant role, having complete control, while the wife portrays the inferior figure, lacking any such power.

Because women are labeled with predetermined futures as nothing more than homemaking housewives, her reaction is justifiable. She is presented with a newfound life and is no longer bound by a, "powerful will bending her in that blind persistence". (Chopin) She imagines the life ahead of her, "Spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own". She has longed for freedom, and now it is hers to enjoy. As the story concludes, the realization that her husband remains alive causes her to drop dead.

The positive emotions that consumed her so suddenly, vanished just as quickly. As a feminist, Kate Chopin represents the feelings of many women during her time. She is able to relate to the subjection women are faced with during this century. Throughout this era, marriage is considered more of an agreement and love is of less significance. Chopin allows the reader to understand this in her description of the deceased husband, "The face that had never looked save with love upon her".

(Chopin) "Before the feminist movement, most men and women had very different relationships from the men and women of today". (Anderson (Women's) ) Both the husband and wife are assigned roles, and until future strides for women's rights are made, the position a wife fulfills, stereotypically is the homemaker. As one can observe from this piece of literature, freedom and power are precious possessions occupied for the most part, by the male figure within the relationship. It takes the death of her husband, which many individuals would consider devastating, to free the illustrious life caged in since their conjoining.

Hemingway's, "Cat in the Rain", is a story about a rich couple from America vacationing in Italy. Taking place in the early 20th century, Hemingway details their vacation, which becomes a parity of their overall marriage. The husband's self-centered character is complimentary of the wife's lack of attention. While in their hotel room, "facing the sea", (Hemingway) the struggle to connect with one another causes the wife to look elsewhere.

The hotel manager's extremely affectionate nature is attractive to her. Hemingway describes her interest in the man, "She liked his dignity. She liked the way he wanted to serve her... She liked his old, heavy face and big hands". (Hemingway) This story illustrates a stale relationship, and its potential consequences. Similar to, "The Story of an Hour", the husband is the targeted figure creating the downfall of the marriage in, "Cat in the Rain".

Both husbands portray the "bad guy" in that neither expresses the necessary affection of a proper husband. In both stories the relationships are unsatisfactory, however, the course of action in, "Cat in the Rain", is quite different. This can in part be attributed to the distinction of time. Hemingway emphasizes the sarcastically argumentative manner in which the husband and wife express their emotions. Adversely, Chopin fails to propose any confrontation between the couple, perhaps due to its non-existence in that era. I believe Hemingway is also trying to emphasize the idea that money cannot buy happiness.

The couple is vacationing in Italy and staying in a room overlooking the sea. Obviously, there is no shortage of money between them. Yet, their financial status doesn't automatically signify a loving marriage. Through these stories, I can conclude that although a bit exaggerated, the subject matter, overall appropriately matches its time period.

In this era, it is accepted by society that women are inferior to men. The husband always has the last say. A women's freedom has its cost. "Before the feminist movement, the traditional American female was confined to role of homemaker and controlled by her financial independence on men particularly her husband". (Anderson (Men's) ) As time moves on the wife is capable of voicing her opinion. Yet, her rights remain limited.

The husband's behavior remains the same however. In both stories, the man is the decision maker and controls the marriage. Today, both separation and divorce have become popular solutions, which previously were not reasonable options.