KATE CHOPIN: “The Storm” and “The Story of an Hour”
Barros’ ENC1102
Essay 3: Comparison / Contrast
TWO STORIES BY KATE CHOPIN:
“The Storm” and “The Story of an Hour”
Main characters: Calixta (“The Storm”) and Louise (“The Story of an Hour”)
Thesis: you may want to focus on Calixta’s and Louise’s reactions to their marriage situation
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CALIXTA |
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LOUISE |
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DIFFERENCES |
SIMILARITIES |
DIFFERENCES |
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Of Spanish (Cuban) descent |
Both lived in Louisiana during the second half of the 19th century |
Not clear ancestry/ethnicity, probably White |
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Attractive, good looking |
Both are frustrated women who apparently married the wrong partners |
No physical description given, only that she is young. |
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Hot tempered |
Both their husbands love them, in their own ways |
Mild manners |
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Apparently healthy |
Neither one fully loves her husband |
Has a heart condition that kills her at the end of the story |
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Not very well educated |
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Apparently well educated |
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Has one child |
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No children |
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Low social class, rural |
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Middle class, urban |
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In love with Alcee, as part of a love triangle, adulterous, though she stays with Bobinot. |
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Not in love with Brently, but she doesn’t have any other lover |
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She is apparently happy, but must be frustrated inside |
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She is definitely unhappy |