Oppression of Women essays

Oppression of Women essays Oppression of women in the 1800s was commonplace. Women were not given the right to freedom nor to express individual thoughts and views. Women were seen as property rather than human beings. In Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour, she demonstrates through Louise Mallard the struggles she must overcome from a loveless marriage and an unfulfilled life. Louise experiences longing from barriers that her husband, marriage and society have placed on her need for individualism, escape from guilt and pleasure for life. Individualism gives people an identity, a sense of who one is. It gives one choices and allows one to be unique. Louise longs for her own individualism and to make her own choices. After hearing the news of her husbands death, Louise feels released from the ties that bind, to pursue her own free will when the story states there would be no one to live for her during these coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in a blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow creature. Louise believes regardless of ones intentions, whether cruel or kind, is a crime none the less. Louises lack of identity is personified with the lack of use of her first name. We are introduced to Louise as Mrs. Mallard at the beginning of the story, it is not until the end of the story that we discover her first name. Society, marriage and her husband have striped Louise of the main element that makes people individuals. Without a name of our own, who are we? With Brently Mallards passing, Louise can now embrace her longing for individualism and declare it for herself. Guilt is often a difficult emotion for people to overcome. Loiuse is afflicted with the guilt of relishing in the news of her husbands death, but only for a moment. After hearing the news of her husbands death Louise retreats to ...