Introduction
Gender inequality has developed its roots from the ancient traditional practices that considered the girl child inferior in comparison to a male one. Traditional society stories describe a clear depiction and elaboration of girls’ and women’s inability to achieve their goals and dreams. The story “Boys and Girls” tries to elaborate on how boys are treated with care and respect as compared to girls. “The Story of an Hour” by Chopin portrays the extent of intimidation and humiliation that girls and women undergo in society. The research paper describes the similarity between “The Story of an Hour” and “Boys and Girls” in describing gender inequality. The stories have similar observations towards this phenomenon since the narrator of “Boys and Girls” explains how girls and women are reduced to performing house duties. The same view is outlined in “The Story of an Hour,” whereby Louise does not have the opportunity to venture her dreams due to Victorian wedding norms that limit women to be only mothers.
“Boys and Girls” Story Summary
The author describes a little girl’s life experience compared to her younger brother, Laird. The story begins when the narrator is expected to perform chores at home. House duties remain the society’s expectation of the girl child (Munro 154). The narrator develops a different view when she describes her unwillingness to stay in the dark kitchen, hot during summer. Particularly, she decides to work in the field with her father. Her character opposes a societal view that reduces women to only function as mothers. On the other hand, little Laird is given time to venture and do what is pleasing to him. He is considered delicate until a horse runs away from the yard, and he is invited to chase and bring it back. When Laird is injured, he rushes to the table where his parents are sitting with clothes full of blood, and he only bathes and removes the clothes when he is told to. Therefore, the story’s actions describe inequality between male and female genders whereby male children are treated with care and dignity compared to girls.
“The Story of an Hour” Summary
“The Story of an Hour” by Chopin portrays girls’ and women’s oppression compared to the opposite gender. Chopin describes how the traditional wedding process restricts women’s achievement of freedom (Chopin 569). The story begins with the death of Brently, the husband of Louise. When sad news about Brently’s death in a railway accident breaks out, Louise’s sister informs her about this event gently due to her heart condition (Chopin 570). The death of Brently is the only way for Louise to achieve freedom and aspiration since she frees the stringent Victorian norms that limited the woman to be only a mother who rears children. Louise respectfully mourns her husband even though his presence could have made her suffer. Sadly, the story ends when Louise dies from a heart attack after Brently arrives home.
Comparison and Analysis of the Two Stories
The two stories describe rampant gender inequality that is manifested in traditional society. The culture of viewing women as inferior and preventing them from following their desires and dreams has been described in the two narratives. The “Boys and Girls” story tries to express how boys are spared and well cared for compared to girls. It describes how women are regarded only for performing house chores and staying indoors at home (Munro 159). The narrator tries to work against inequality in the distribution of opportunities when she offers to do her father’s work. Apart from identifying women’s oppression from society norms that regard them as inferior, she brings out the rationale for better performance of different duties expected to be conducted by the male gender.
“The Story of an Hour” is similar to the “Boys and Girls” story because it elaborates more on how women are degraded and oppressed in society. Chopin uses the death of Louise after seeing her husband alive. Louise’s experience regarding Victorian wedding norms that refer a woman to be just a mother who rears children made her die from a heart attack after seeing her husband (Chopin 570). Therefore, women have no choice other than to persevere against oppression and gender inequality. Both stories describe the manifestation of gender inequality in society. Women and girls are not allowed to venture into their dreams and aspirations because they are limited to being just mothers who are expected to perform house chores.
Conclusion
The two stories describe how gender inequality is manifested in society due to cultural norms and perceptions. Based on Munro’s view, gender inequality toward women limits them from aspiring to their dreams and ventures. The author describes how society regards women to be mothers. “The Story of An Hour” is similar to the “Boys and Girls” story since traditional Victorian practices reduce girls and women to perform house chores and rear children rather than allowing them to follow their dreams and aspirations.
Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour. Jimcin Recordings, 1981.
Munro, Alice. Boys and Girls. Atlantis Films, 1983.