“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
In Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour” the author paints a rather effective picture of heartbreak. However, rather than showing the devastation of Louise Mallard’s devastation upon hearing news of her husband’s accidental death in the train wreck, Chopin takes an unexpected turn. As the reader experiences Louise’s shock at the news of her husband’s death one is led to believe that she is overwhelmed with shock and unable to comprehend the tragedy of becoming a widow. Instead, as the final scene in the story unfolds the reader is made aware that Louise was in awe of the liberation and freedom that she felt upon hearing this “bad news.” The shocking twist of the main characters heart attack upon realizing her husband is very well still alive was a powerful message for the suffocating existence that women in the position of Mrs. Mallard must have felt in knowing their only role in life was that of being a man’s wife. It is as if she dies from the heartbreak of recognizing she is still imprisoned in her role as a wife rather than the momentary freedom she felt upon the supposed news of her husband’s death.
“Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid
Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” was written as if one were standing in a room hearing a mother rant on and on to her daughter about what she should and should not be or do. The author’s creative use of expanding the sentences without persistent pauses through periods was highly effective in the delivery of the message from mother to daughter. The reader is completely taken into the space where the dialogue and lecture ensues with the mother harshly reprimanding her daughter for things she has not even done. However, it is easy to see that this type of advice was relevant to be taken seriously during that period in time as an African American woman/girl. One could envision a powerful black mother who has taken on this tough exterior in pounding these ideas into her daughter’s mind as to make sure she does not stray from the right path. I found this to be a slightly difficult read at first but then realized how much the style influenced to message and storyline.
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
William Faulkner delivers a truly melancholy and morose storyline in “A Rose for Emily.” The reader could easily see this old fashion dusty home that Emily ultimately becomes imprisoned in as she leads her strange private life. It is not immediately obvious that the character of Emily Grierson may be suffering from some type of mental illness, but as the story continues it becomes quite obvious that she was not fully sane. It appears the pressures and disappointment of remaining an unwed woman eventually crushes her spirit after her father’s death. The idea that she would allow herself to first live in her home for several days with her father’s decomposing body seems incredibly strange. Then as the story begins to focus on her upcoming nuptials with Homer Barron and she is found purchasing rat poison the reader is left questioning what her motives may be. At the end of the story it is bone chilling to think of her lying beside the corpse of Homer Barron all these years out of desperation for needing companionship. However, it is in the most dysfunctional and disturbing manner that she manages to find this companionship with a dead man she hides in her bed until her final days. Overall it seems that Faulkner is telling the tale of a very mentally distressed and disturbed woman who has lived a sad lonely life.
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s story “The Yellow Wallpaper” leaves the reader a bit outraged at the dehumanizing manner in which the narrator’s husband John treats her. Despite this gorgeous beautiful home that is described in the story, the narrator is left imprisoned by her own thoughts, which ultimately drive her mad. As a woman who may be suffering from post-partum depression, she if forced by her husband to constantly rest in her bedroom away from all activity. Instead of escaping the depression with occupying herself with meaningful activity she is held captive in her room with the yellow wallpaper that almost becomes alive because she has nothing else to interact with. The sexist attitude of her husband shows the way women were reduced to having no say so during this earlier period in history, which makes one wonder how many women actually suffered these types of conditions in reality. The story is very well told by Gilman giving the reader an honest glimpse inside the desperation felt by an already depressed woman.
“Recitatif” by Tony Morrison
In the truest Tony Morrison style, the short story “Recitatif” depicts the friendship of two female characters from childhood onward to adulthood. The mystery of their racial identity is kept from the reader initially, which creates a sense of confusion for the reader as the two girls mother’s initially meet at the orphanage. It is not until Roberta and Twyla meet again in the restaurant that the reader is led to believe that Roberta is the black female with the description that is given of her appearance. However, later on in the story the transition that occurs in their lives makes the reader confused on which one is black and which one is white. It seems to be an incredibly creative manner that Morrison captivates the reader to be unsure the whole time about their race as to make a strong statement about a friendship between people of different color during a volatile time historically for race relations.
“A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor
Flannery O’Connor’s short story “A Good Man is Hard to Find” is full of interesting twists and turns as the reader is taken on this adventure with a family and an annoying grandmother. The interesting thing about the story is how much the grandmother is focused on good moral behavior, which she evidently lacks with her ignorance and questionable motive. It seems that when one has such unrealistic standards on whom or what good looks like, then it is nearly impossible to actually come across “good men.” Evidence of her dilemma is seen as she meets her unfortunate demise when attacked by the Misfit and the two men who have escaped prison along with him. Her desperate attempt to speak to the Misfit’s conscious is a bit ironic because she clearly lacks sincere virtue as well. The title is an important addition to the story as it emphasizes the challenge of finding righteous men (and women) in the world. The primary point that can be taken away from O’Connor’s story is that the eye cannot behold itself, hence the grandmother kept failing to find good men considering she herself lacked good morals and beliefs.
“Gorilla, My Love” by Toni Cade Bambara
Throughout the entire short story “Gorilla, My Love” by Toni Cade Bambara the reader is thoroughly entertained by the style of writing that so perfectly suits the storyline. The simple experience of the main character Hazel is so colorfully described in each and every setting of the piece. One is taken directly into the car with the confused grandfather, up and down the chaotic theater, and even the incredible description of comparing oneself to Jesus on the cross is done with such immense wit. Although no deep symbolic meanings jumped out during the story, there were ongoing moments of shocking storytelling which took place by the author’s bold subject matter. It was sincerely a surprise when Hazel’s begins to complain about the movie not being about gorillas but instead it was a biblical story of Jesus. The comparison of the entire scenario of Jesus on the cross was quite hilarious and controversial from even the modern perspective. Of all the short stories that were covered thus far, this particular one had me mesmerized and entertained with each and every line written by Bambara. One could hear the accent of the narrator loud and clear as the story unfolds leaving the reader with a smile on their face for the highly entertaining delivery of a simple story.
“Love Medicine” by Louise Erdrich
Louise Erdrich’s “Love Medicine” uses the dynamic complex relationships and character experiences to help one see the life of the Native American from a much more personal position. Rather than the typical Pilgrims and Indians story about Native Americans, Erdrich uses the normal and complicated challenges of life’s dysfunctions to display the life of these Native American family members. The reader is left with an experience of being a fly on the wall at all times as each character’s dilemma and situation unfolds. A sense of mindreading is what is taken away from the style that Erdrich delivers this tale of dysfunctional love and familial relationships. The reader is also introduced to the storyline with a degree of authentic Native American storytelling that was common among the various tribes. At times it was a difficult read when so many things are occurring among so many characters throughout the novel, but it is evident that the goal Erdrich had in her telling of this story was with the purpose of putting a more modern realistic face on the lives of Native Americans living in reservations. This group who once owned these American lands is left with only bits and pieces of land and life that is so complicated and unlike the traditional ways of the Native American people. It shows the dishonor and hardship of the Native American people through the distinct life events of the various characters created by the author. Clearly Erdrich successfully delivers a sociological message within the intertwining tale of these individuals Ojibwa folks.
