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Story of an Hour Women's Roles in Society

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Women’s Roles in Society

1. Q: How would you describe the tone of each story?
A: The tone of “Story of an Hour” is depressing. Louise, the main character is saddened by the death of her husband. Her death at the end brings the story full circle, ending with depression just as it had started. It is also dramatic. Louise behavior is extreme as she seeks to understand her feelings about the death of her husband. The tone is ironic as well, as Louise discovers that she never really loved her husband anyway and feels freedom and joy upon his death. The tone in “The Revolt of Mother” is both rebellious and defiant. Sarah is rebelling against her husband because he promised to build her a house and never did. She defies him by moving into the new barn and making it her home. 2. Q: What rhetorical strategies assist the writers in achieving that tone? Explain.
A: In “The Story of an Hour” the author uses imagery as it describes the scene Louise is seeing/feeling from the open window. The use of symbolism through “closed doors” and “open windows” adds to the feelings of despair and the relief/freedom felt from her husband’s death. In “The Revolt of Mother” the author uses repetition from father, "I 'ain't got nothin' to say."(Freeman), which created frustration in mother. 3. Q: Do you see any elements of satire in either of the stories? Explain.

A: In “The Story of an Hour” is ironic satire. She has a week heart and her sister has to tell her delicately her husband has died. Louise feels despair then relief and joy as she realizes she never loved her husband and can be free from his control. However just as she rises up to accept the future she sees her husband, who she was glad was dead, and succumbs to death herself. The “Revolt of Mother” is ironic satire in the fact that the father repeatedly throughout the story refuses to give in to mother. He won’t tell her what is going on. In the end the mother’s rebellion forces him to accept her terms and do what she wants.

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