Part 1:True Love What are the differences, if any, between the myth of "true love" and the reality of love? Does true love exist? Do you know anyone who has experienced it?
1. How does Viorst use Irony to convey her ideas about true love?Give at least 2 examples.
True Love is extremely complicated concept, as for each person the definition of love would be different. Judith Viorst in her poem True Love explains it in the way love is still exist and connects two people who are together for a long time. True love in her vision of it is not a fairytale of myth that people often popularize, like ‘I will love you no matter what’. She illustrates that love is actually a full load of emotion, different emotions, it sometimes means going for a compromise with the person you love, like:
I do not resent watching the Green Bay Packer
and
He is willing to wear unironed undershorts
Out of respect for the fact that I am philosophically opposed to ironing (Viorst)
These pieces show that the couple described are willing to be patient and kind, it is mutual respect that is expressed from both sides. Moreover, the fact the narrator is ‘philosophically opposed’ to some of the things her partner likes is ironical.
Other times, in the lines where she describes less successful days of their marriage, where less picturesque feelings were expressed, she emphasizes the understanding, not the hate: ‘He understood why I hated himI understood why he hated me’ (Viorst).
When I read these lines I think about my grandparents, I imagine it is how they acted like a couple while they were young, not only because they are still together for a long time, but also because in their eyes one can see true understanding of love.
Part 2: Story of An Hour What do you think about the relationship between Louise and Brently Mallard? How does Chopin use irony in this story? Give specific examples from the story to illustrate your ideas.
2. What did you learn about love and marriage from Chopin's short story? What are the elements of a traditional marriage that cause women to feel imprisoned?
The irony plays an important part in the story, the whole situation is ironical as well as the relationships between the characters seems to be, Chopin writes: ‘And yet she had loved him —sometimes. Often she had not’. And mostly by the range of emotions, positive emotions that Mrs. Mallard feels, even if they appeared unexpectedly, she feels free and happy. It indicates that in her relationships with Mr. Mallard she felt constrained and suppressed, she finally can do what she wants, that means that usually her husband was in charge. That often was the situation in traditional marriages in the last century, where woman do not have a voice or freedom of choice.
The ironic twist of the story leads Mr.Mallard to death when she finds out that her husband is alive and well, her weak heart could not bear such contrast of emotions. Obviously, it is also due to unhealthy relationships Mr. and Mrs. Mallard had.
Works cited
Viorst, Judith. "True Love". PoemHunter.com. Web. 17 June 2016.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/true-love/
Chopin, Kate. ""The Story Of An Hour"". Archive.vcu.edu. 1894. Web. 17 June 2016.
http://archive.vcu.edu/english/engweb/webtexts/hour/
