Short Stories' Comparative Analysis

Short Stories' Comparative Analysis

The two short stories that are the subject of this discussion are unique in their own way. Although both the stories describe the strong human feelings and emotions that are associated with love, they are both remarkably different in their approach and presentation. To start with, 'Story of an Hour' is a story about a woman who goes through a terrible ordeal when she gets the devastating news that her husband has passed away in a car accident. The news of the death of a loved one is devastating as it is. However, the fact that the deceased was the husband of Mrs. Mallard for many years adds to the intensity of the story and prepares the reader for an emotional roller-coaster ride. As the news of her husband's death sinks in, Mrs. Mallard seems to lose control of her surroundings. It leaves her in a state of trauma where she is unable to think properly.

The adjectives that have been used in the story by the author aptly describe the state that Mrs. Mallard is in at that particular time. For example, in the beginning it is implied that Mrs. Mallard looks processes the information “with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance”, probably thinking that it is a cruel joke and that her husband will barge in through the door at any moment. There are no smiles on the faces of the people around her; instead they reflect only mourning and intense grief. The state of mind of Mrs. Mallard has been described by the author very skillfully and in a very realistic manner. Mrs. Mallard's first reaction to the news is denial. This may be explained by her inability to accept the significance of the entire episode.

Eventually the message sinks in and she is devastated. And what is her first reaction? She weeps with an uncontrolled, sudden wild abandonment in the arms of her sister. This phase depicts the acceptance as she finally comes to terms with reality. This follows with a strong urge to fortify oneself form social contact and Mrs. Mallard leaves the messengers of the terrible news downstairs as she goes to her room upstairs and locks herself in. This scene is synonymous of the tendency of human beings to isolate themselves from the rest of the world when they are overcome with intense grief and despair. In such a state of mind, it is common for those who are devastated and broken to grieve alone by isolating themselves from the rest of the world and sulk in the corner of a dark and desolate room. This emotion is reflected in the lines “But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky.”

This way, the author systematically describes the many mental states that a person goes through when he is overcome with intense grief and torment. The first stage is natural denial of the news ...