Comparing The House On Mango Street And The Story Of An Hour

When evaluating a work of literature, one must take into consideration the variety of methods of criticism that can be used to make informed judgements and critiques about the text. It is ideal to read, analyze, and discuss the novel The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros and the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin by observing the intricacies of relationships between men and women and what this implies about the role of females in society. In A House of Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, the author uses relationships between certain characters to display the fact that women are often seen as inferior in society. For example, when reading this novel, one should observe the brief yet traumatic relationship between the

Esperanza, the narrator, hoped to have a fun time at the carnival but was instead sexually assaulted against her own will. The fact that Esperanza was assaulted in such a way shows that men often view women as nothing more than objects. Taking this example of abusive relationships into consideration, it is essential to analyze the text by pondering the question of whether the limits imposed on females in this community are more societal or institutional. In other words, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the text by analyzing the true source of limits placed upon women in society- whether or not they are set in some sort of legislature, or if they are strictly social customs. Finally, when discussing these points about this novel, it is imperative to take into consideration the many gender stereotypes present in Esperanza’s community. For instance, Esperanza is often expected to help take

The author uses this idea to convey the fact that women are often seen as weak and passive in society. When reading the short story, it is necessary to focus on the main character’s reaction to her husband’s supposed death. Although she was distraught at first, the main character became filled with a sudden joy. She realized that she no longer was under the control and commitment which was associated with their relationship. With this observation in mind, it is important to analyze the text by discerning the numerous implications that this reaction has on the role of women in society. Because the main character felt free after the death of her husband, it is logical to assume that all women in relationships with men are under this same element of control. This leads perfectly into the inference that the same is true in society- women are always seen as feeble and powerless. Lastly, when discussing the many elements associated with gender present in this novel, readers should reflect on their own lives and the elements of control present in their relationships with those of the opposite sex. This is a viable point for discussion because it is an idea that is supported by every event in the story- from the main character’s reaction to the news of her husband’s supposed death, to her heart attack at the conclusion of