Preparing an Analytical Paper“The Story of an Hour”“The Yellow Wallpaper”

Two Stories“The Story of an Hour”

◦ Brently Mallard (husband)

◦ Louise (repressed)

Appears dead throughout much of the story

Seems to be good friend with Richards

Given only clues about how Louise feels about him

“The Yellow Wallpaper”◦ John (husband)◦ Narrator (depressed)

Appears controlling of the narrator’s actions

Is a respected doctorNarrator states how

she feels about her husband

Similarities Between Two StoriesBoth men seem

controlling or oppressive.

Both women are mentally weak.

Both stories take place about the same time (“The Yellow Wallpaper” 1892) & (“The Story of an Hour” 1894).

Liberation is a theme of both stories.

Thesis Development

Thesis DevelopmentIn “The Story of

an Hour” and “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the main characters feel oppressed by their husbands and find liberation in unique ways.

In “The Story of an Hour” and “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the husbands appear typical for the time period, yet for the main characters, they are oppressive, and both women find liberation in their own way.BetterGood

Some Sources“The Yellow Wallpaper”/”The Story of an

Hour” – 19 October 2011 - http://alexandratliterature.blogspot.com/2011/10/yellow-wallpaperthe-story-of-hour.html

“The Yellow Wallpaper” – Short Stories for Students – Sections that are useful: ◦ “John,” “Psychological Realism”◦ “Critical Overview”◦ “Criticism: Rena Korb” ◦ “Criticism: Greg Johnson.”

“The Story of an Hour” – Short Stories for Students – Sections that are useful: ◦ “Criticism: Barbara C. Ewell”◦ “Criticism: Madonne M. Miner.”

FrailtyLouise has a weak

heart, so her friends and family try to protect her from any news that is shocking.

The narrator suffers from melancholy, and her husband has brought her to a summer home for a rest cure.

In “The Story of an Hour” and “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the husbands appear typical for the time period, yet for the main characters, they are oppressive, and both women find liberation in their own way.

In the late 1800s, women were considered the more frail and weaker sex.

Husbands“The Story of an

Hour” has a 3rd person narrator who hints at Brently’s controlling nature.

“The Yellow Wallpaper” has a 1st person narrator who speaks about how her husband controls her.

In “The Story of an Hour” and “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the husbands appear typical for the time period, yet for the main characters, they are oppressive, and both women find liberation in their own way.

FreedomLouise learns her

husband has died and feels free for the first time she since married.

The narrator searches the wallpaper for answers and eventually finds freedom through the wallpaper.

In “The Story of an Hour” and “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the husbands appear typical for the time period, yet for the main characters, they are oppressive, and both women find liberation in their own way.

OutlineIntroductionFrailty of the main characters

◦ Louise’s physical frailty◦ Narrator’s mental frailty

Dominance of the husbands◦ Descriptions of Louise’s husband (Brently)◦ Descriptions of Narrator’s husband (John)

Freedom attained by the main characters◦ Louise’s death at the shock◦ Narrator’s escape from the room over

husband’s bodyConclusion

Frailty of Main Characters“The Story of an Hour” “Knowing that Mrs. Mallard

was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.”

“She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength.”

“Now her bosom rose and fell tumultuously.”

“There was a feverish triumph in her eyes,…”

“The Yellow Wallpaper” “…there is really nothing the

matter with one but temporary nervous depression--a slight hysterical tendency-- what is one to do?

So I take phosphates or phosphites--whichever it is, and tonics, and journeys, and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to ‘work’ until I am well again.”

“there is nothing to hinder my writing as much as I please, save lack of strength.”

Husbands“The Story of an Hour” “She said it over and over

under the breath: ‘free, free, free!’”

“She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death;”

“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.”

“And yet she had loved him--sometimes. Often she had not.”

“The Yellow Wallpaper” “John is a physician,

and perhaps--(I would not say it to a living soul, of course, but this is dead paper and a great relief to my mind)--perhaps that is one reason I do not get well faster.”

“ There comes John, and I must put this away,--he hates to have me write a word.”

“He said I was his darling and his comfort and all he had, and that I must take care of myself for his sake, and keep well.”

Freedom“The Story of an

Hour” “There would be no one

to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. ”

“’Free! Body and soul free!’ she kept whispering.”

“When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease--of the joy that kills.”

“The Yellow Wallpaper”         "What is the matter?"

he cried. "For God's sake, what are you doing!"        I kept on creeping just the same, but I looked at him over my shoulder.        "I've got out at last," said I, "in spite of you and Jane. And I've pulled off most of the paper, so you can't put me back!"        Now why should that man have fainted? But he did, and right across my path by the wall, so that I had to creep over him every time!

CriticismsUse a quote about

women & men & marriage in the 1800s.

Use a quote about Brently’s controlling nature.

Use a quote about John’s controlling nature.

Use a quote about seeking freedom.