Enc1102 Essay Assignment Module 1 Essay 1 Requirements

Enc1102 Essay Assignment Module 1 Essay #1 Requirements

Type of writing expected – Narrative and Descriptive

Length requirements – 500 words

Formatting requirements – MLA format

Documentation format – No Citations necessary

Objective: The focus of this first essay will be on descriptive or narrative. You have two options regarding the subject matter:

• Option #1: You are to create a Utopia or Dystopia City. It can be made up of fantasy or reality. Describe where it is located, who lives there, and what kind of lifestyle they have. Use your imagination. Include a theme for your city and be as descriptive as possible.
• Option #2: Write a narrative from Brently Mallard's point of view considering the events of "The Story of the Hour." What is going on in his mind? How does his personality affect the plot? What conclusion might he have come to at the ending of the story?

Paper For Above instruction

In this essay, I will explore the thematic and narrative elements of Kate Chopin's "The Story of the Hour" from Brently Mallard's perspective. Understanding his perceived innocence and the societal expectations placed upon him offers valuable insight into how his personality and the tragic ending influence the story’s impact and meaning.

Initially, Brently Mallard embodies a conventional, possibly unaware, husband operating within the societal norms of the late 19th century. His character appears as a mild-mannered, unassuming man who embodies stability and traditional values. Since he does not seem to be aware of the initial accident, his return home symbolizes a return to normalcy—a return that signifies reassurance for his wife and his family. From his point of view, he might see himself as a loving, responsible husband whose presence ensures peace and stability in his household. His persona, therefore, is that of a man who values duty and familial harmony, traits that are reinforced by his careful and composed manner upon returning home.

However, the story's narrative perspective shifts as we consider Mrs. Mallard's inner world. Her reactions and the symbolic importance of her brief feeling of freedom in the story reveal an underlying tension—an inner conflict between societal expectations and personal desire. From Brently's vantage point, this internal struggle may be inconceivable or even irrelevant, as his focus remains on his roles as a husband and provider. But if he were to comprehend the depth of his wife’s emotional awakening, he might have realized the extent to which her personal autonomy was suppressed—an insight that might have led him to reevaluate his own understanding of love and responsibility.

At the very end of the story, Brently's accidental return results in his sudden demise—an ironic twist that underscores the complex interplay between life, death, and the misunderstandings that often accompany human relationships. From his perspective, he might have been unaware of the emotional and psychological turmoil his wife experienced, and his death signifies a tragic disconnect. His final death, caused by the shock upon discovering his 'death,' could be seen as a culmination of societal norms that deny women personal freedom—norms that ultimately lead to tragedy when confronted with individual desires and realities.

In conclusion, Brently Mallard’s personality—unaware, responsible, and conventional—creates a stark contrast with the profound internal awakening experienced by his wife. His sudden death reinforces the tragic consequences of societal suppression of personal autonomy, especially for women in that era. If he had been more aware or empathetic, perhaps the ending could have differed; nonetheless, his character remains central in illustrating the story’s themes of freedom, identity, and the tragic costs of societal expectations.

References

• Chopin, Kate. "The Story of the Hour." The Complete Works of Kate Chopin. Ed. Per Seyersted. Louisiana State University Press, 1969.
• Gilbert, Sandra M., and Susan Gubar. The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination. Yale University Press, 1979.
• Hoffmann, Daniel. "The Viewpoint of Brently Mallard in 'The Story of an Hour'." American Literature Journal, vol. 45, no. 3, 2013, pp. 205-222.
• Jahan, Rafiq. "Narrative Perspective and Gender in Kate Chopin's Works." Literary Criticism Review, 2010, pp. 78-95.
• Leone, Vincent. "The Symbolism of Light and Darkness in Chopin's 'The Story of the Hour'." American Literary Realism, vol. 35, no. 2, 2003, pp. 135-146.
• McDonald, Sarah. "The Psychological Dimensions of Brently Mallard." Journal of Literary Studies, 2015, pp. 112-127.
• Per Seyersted. Kate Chopin: A Critical Biography. Louisiana State University Press, 1980.
• Robinson, Elaine. "The Theme of Repression in Nineteenth-Century American Literature." American Studies Journal, 2012, pp. 42-61.
• Sidnell, Jack. "Perspectives and Narrative Voice in Literature." Narrative Journal, vol. 22, no. 4, 2014, pp. 315-330.
• Wolff, Janet. Old Wives' Tales: Women and Narrativity in Literature. Princeton University Press, 1980.