Marriage Themes in The Proposal and The Story of an Hour - Essay Example

What Kate Chopins "Story of an Hour" details to the reader is the extent to which women were "trapped" by the very institution of marriage, even if they didnt know it.” (Trapped by Marriage) Bentley and Mrs. Mallard are married in The Story of an Hour, much is being talked about the powerful will of Bentley and how he used to same to impose himself on his wife. Mrs. Mallard gets liberated upon the death of her husband; this liberation means a lot to her. Marriage as an institution has been very negative portrayed in The Story of an Hour.

"There would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature." (The Story of an Hour) How the will of Mrs. Mallard breaks down has also been well presented by Kate Chopin in the story, there comes a certain point in her life when she wonders why she exists? Her husband was truly responsible for causing emotional and mental trauma in her life.

Repressed emotions of Mrs. Mallard have been well presented in the story. The story does not give an account of how Mrs. Mallard was oppressed but the readers get a fine idea of her situation when Bentley passes away, she feels liberated and rejuvenated upon his death. Most individuals get married so that they can get emotional stability and a true sense of companionship but everything has been portrayed much differently in the proposal. Gaining wealth has been given priority in the play. Materialistic well being has superseded emotional well being and mental stability.

The play portrays reality in more ways than one, dowry still remains a social evil in many countries and little has been done to eliminate it. The way marriage has been perceived by people has also changed over the last decade. The play is a satire and