Select two texts that address the same theme, but present it in different ways - Essay Example

Topic: The themes of love and marriage have been the most widely used themes in a large number of books. Two such stories include “The proposal” by Anton Chekhov and “Shiloh” by Bobbie Ann Mason. Both of these authors have used the same theme but there are some differences in the techniques used to describe their respective stories. Anton Chekhov has been known for writing comedic masterpieces which are filled with the themes of love, marriage and even death. Most of his plays and stories include a touch of hopelessness such as the seagull, the cherry orchard etc.

The proposal, however, could have had a dark conclusion instead the author concluded it with a light and comfortable note of engagement. On the other hand, Shiloh, Mason`s first collection revolves around the lifestyles of the southerners and the introduction of modern concepts such as chain stores, technology and divorce in place of traditional cultural values. Most of Mason`s stories are based on these themes and have been critically acclaimed by international specialists. The story of the proposal is based on the love and hate relationship between the two main characters of Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov and Natalya Stepanovna.

The plot revolves around the marriage proposal which Ivan plan to make to Natalya. However, he hypochondria and also, has serious anxiety issues which amplify when he tries to propose marriage. However, both Natalya and Ivan get involved in heated arguments on issues of the ownership of property as well as competition involving dogs. In the end, however, Ivan ends up making the proposal after another round of debate and the story concludes with the engagement of the couple. The Shiloh by Bob Ann Mason includes the story of a married couple, Leroy Moffitt and Norma Jean Moffitt, who lost their new born child, Randy.

After being involved in an accident, the husband, Leroy, refuses to go back to work as a truck driver and dreams to build a cabin. Norma, on the other hand, supports the family by working at a drugstore. She is against the idea of a cabin and forces Leroy to start working. There has been a drift in their relationship since the death of their child and as the story continues, this drift is shown to be increasing. Leroy`s mother in law suggests them to go to Shiloh, the civil war battlefield where she went for honeymoon with her husband.

Leroy believes that Norma has changed and he wants to know her better. They finally decide to go to Shiloh where Norma tells Leroy that she wants to leave him. Leroy realizes that he loved her and that his idea of building a cabin was terrible and goes after Norma. At this point, Bob Mason, the author, introduces a twist in the story by stating that Norma went to the edge of the river and turned. The conclusion is left open for the readers to interpret. The plot of the proposal is whimsical as compared to the realistic lifestyle of southerners portrayed in Shiloh.

Anton Chekov tried to show the mechanisms of the Russian upper class matrimonies in the late 19th century. He examined human being`s inclinations to bring in dramatic instances in our normal lives as portrayed by the silly arguments between Ivan and Natalya. On the other hand, Bob Mason tried to show the drifts in the relationship being caused by various internal as well as external issues in life. In the Shiloh, the author has used diverse characters including a protagonist in the form of Leroy who loves his wife and wants to know more about her by spending maximum time with her.

His wife, Norma, is an antagonist who is not happy with the marriage and does not like his husband being at home all the time. She tries to force him to find a job so that he could leave the house while the husband tries to reignite the love in their marriage. On the other hand, Anton Chekov tried to portray the theme of love and marriage through two contrasting characters; whereby Ivan is anxious and stubborn and Natalya is proud, possessive and stubborn too. However, they ended up being engaged after having a number of debates and arguments.

In the proposal, Chekov uses such a tone which is able to use the shortcomings in the characters to produce a plot which is funny and which brings out the theme of love and marriage clearly. Similarly, Bob Mason tries to show the true love in the married relationship of Leroy and Norma. In contrast, however, the author of Shiloh concludes by an ending which is open for interpretations while the proposal ends with the engagement between the couple. Works Cited: "The Marriage Proposal." About.

com Plays / Drama. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. . "The Proposal - a one-act play by Anton Chekhov." The Proposal - a one-act play by Anton Chekhov. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. .