The Yellow Wallpaper vs. The Story of an Hour

In Chopin’s "Story of an Hour", we are told that Louise has a bad heart condition. A friend of the family has discovered that there was a bad accident at her husband’s job and he is on the deceased list. Louise’s sister carefully tells her this shocking news; however, instead of falling apart, Louise finds herself feeling as if she has a new lease on life because she will finally be able to live for herself. Suddenly, her husband walks in the door, and shocked, Louise drops dead of a heart attack. The physician says it was from "a joy that kills" (Bedford 11-13).

In "The Yellow Wallpaper", the main character is attempting to heal from a nervous disorder. Her husband who is a physician does not allow her to do anything: no housekeeping, no writing, and no visi

ting with family or friends. Her husband also insists that she has to stay in a room upstairs where everything, including the wallpaper make her eventually go insane. (Wallpaper)

I think a key to understand Chopin’s story is knowing that Louise had lived a life of quiet desperation that probably she created herself. Her inner thoughts revealed the depth of her pain; and we were given various insights into her hidden yet exalted emotions as she joyfully contemplated her freedom upon learning of her husband's death during the course of the hour while alone in her room.

Chopin's story was only two pages long yet she developed the character of Louise thoroughly and I could understand her deeply. My spirit soared with hers to new heights as she experienced a rebirth of her soul and self. Her epiphany was short-lived and all in her imagination, though. As was soon revealed, her husband was not dead and the shock of this reality proved to be too much on her weakened heart and she died instead; how ironic!

In Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” end of the story, John has been magnified in his wife’s mind to monster status, and she is deeply suspicious of him. She doesn't trust him or his motives toward her and, as she continues to withdraw into herself, confesses her fear of him and escalates in her break with reality. Finally, the focus narrows to her one burning desire, she wants to "surprise" her husband by showing him she has gotten out at last. She had come out the winner; she ultimately won this battle and proved him wrong! She obviously wasn't well, but had found his control and in her way of thinking, had won.

The main setting of both stories occurs in a room; however, these two rooms have very different atmospheres. In Cho

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