In her novel, The Awakening, Kate Chopin captures the interest of readers with the use of symbolism. The storyline details a time when women had strict expectations of what they should and should not do. The main character, Edna Pontellier, has a desire to change the role that society expected of her, but this view is not accepted very well. Throughout the story, Chopin uses symbolism to skillfully progress the theme of how Edna is struggling to change and be independent and happy with her life. Symbolism is specifically utilized throughout the novel with Edna’s houses, birds, the sea, and swimming.
Literary Analysis on The Necklace By: Guy de Maupassant In the story, “The Necklace”, Madame Loisel finally get to attend a high-class event, but her night is ruined when she loses a borrowed necklace. In this story Guy de Maupassant uses irony to entertain his audience. He conveys irony in his story by using his protagonist, plot, and the surprise ending. Maupassant uses Madame Loisel, the protagonist, to show irony in almost all it’s forms. Maupassant first shows irony thourgh Mathilde’s life,“The girl was one of those pretty and charming young creatures who sometimes are born... into a family of clerks… Mathilde suffered ceaselessly, feeling herself born to enjoy all delicacies and all luxuries.”(Maupassant, 1) Mathilde feels like she deserves all the luxuries in life, because of the sole fact that she is pretty, she had no money nor rank; she still believed that she should be wed to rich men, this is an example of situational irony.
In The Stranger, Camus explores man’s perception of the absurd through his protagonist Meursault, a French Algier, who ‘unwittingly gets drawn into a senseless murder’ on an Algerian beach. Meursault’s indifference to his mother’s death and the crime he has committed, among others, isolates him from society and leads to his incrimination. Throughout The Stranger, Meursault’s intensive focus on the natural world such as the sea and especially the sun, in contrast to his indifference to human relationships, highlights their importance. Light, a product of the sun, proves especially significant. Camus description of light in relation to Meursault shows Meursault’s individuality throughout the story and his reaction to death.
When Mersault’s lawyer is talking to him and it is said that, “The investigators had learned that I had “shown insensitivity” on the day of Maman’s funeral” (Camus 64). The court later uses this as a potential motive against Mersault because it shows his indifference to death and how he hadn’t shown remorse after either death. His indifference also earns him the title “Monsiuer Antichrist” because he seems wicked in the eyes of the magistrate for not feeling any remorse. Also, the lawyer mentions how his thoughts and persona are off putting and the legal dealings would be much harsher if he spoke what he thought to the magistrate. Mersault said, “He made me promise I wouldn’t say that at my hearing or in front of the examining magistrate” (Camus 65).
In “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin readers realize how the main character, Louise Mallard, shows how she is joyful while gaining her independence after a tragic accident. The hysterical crying, continuously staring out the open window, and having heart trouble are key symbols throughout the short story. Chopin’s title of the short story is spot on as well. She is quick to the point and describes all the events during the short story that are covered in only an hour time. “The Story of an Hour” is introduced by readers learning that Louise Mallard has heart trouble.
In the story Chopin prepares the death of Edna through the use of symbolism by making her go naked into the water to portray Edna’s revival stating, “How strange and awful it seemed to stand naked under the sky! How delicious! She felt like a newborn creature, opening its eyes in a familiar world that it had never known.” As babies come naked into the word Chopin made
It seems wonderful, but isn’t it implies she has many other pursuers? Just like Maupassant writes in the context, “People
“Women have a much better time than men in this world; there are far more things forbidden to them.” This Oscar Wilde quote is a fitting example for women during the late 1800’s. This is especially true for our main characters’ in Charlotte Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” and Kate Chopin’s novella The Awakening. Both the protagonists experience whims that are forbidden to them due to their status as women. Chopin and Gilman utilize symbolism and point of view to illustrate the oppressed role of women in society during the nineteenth century. One element the authors use to develop the theme is symbolism.
In spite of the fact that Mrs. Mallard was grieving she was likewise encountering joy and satisfaction since she then realizes that she is currently free. While reading the story, it was clear that Mrs. Mallard was happy for the beginning of her new life and the start of freedom. Chopin uses descriptive diction throughout the story, such as irony, symbol,
She seemed to make a joke of her husband’s impressionability, “Look! are they not lovely? One would swear they were real” (de Maupassant, 30). Monsieur Lantin’s vision was clouded by what he presumed to be true love, not allowing him to see through the lie. This aspect of the story expresses to readers the difference between appearance and reality.