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Equality, Equality is a right that is inalienable, a right not upheld by characters in stories and in real life. Equality is an important theme presented throughout novels. As stated in Merriam Webster “ a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation”, a theme is vital to the stories we read, it is the central idea of the story. In “The Chrysanthemum” by John Steinbeck, equality partakes in a huge fashion, the main character Elisa feels the need to spread her wings yet feels bound by not only her husband but by gender stereotypes as well. Along with “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, the main character Louise correspondingly is bound by a man but realizes after her husband’s “death” that she had found a new sense of freedom and individuality.
“The Chrysanthemums”, by John Steinbeck, tells of two farmers named Elisa and Henry Allen, who live in the middle of nowhere during the 1930s. Elisa is a skillful gardener who has a gift, especially with her prize-winning Chrysanthemums. Elisa is the narrator through the dialect, yet the story is still written in third-person narration. Elisa is a strong feminist, she is masculine and obtains feminine ideals. While working on the year-old chrysanthemum, she makes everything she gardens, look simple. Henry acknowledges his wife’s true gardening gift and explains the negation of the cattle, which he made earlier, and results in a planned celebration later. As the day drags on, Elisa is still hard at work, as a ramshackle wagon approaches, that advertises the repairing of household appliances. The tinker pauses at the farm, he is disheveled and time hasn’t been nice to him, based on appearances, the tinker is lost and explains his route. This sparks interest in a potential career for Elisa, imagining the idea of freedom. The tinker is a swindler who is trying to convince Elisa of his services. Elisa’s whole attitude changes when the tinker takes interest in the Chrysanthemums, the tinker explains how one of his customers asked him to bring her a seed, and Elisa kindly gives the tinker a pot with a Chrysanthemums to give to the lady. She expresses a desire to the tinker of having his life, but of course, that’s no life for a “woman”. Ironically she tries to “break her chains” with Tinker, a man after her husband hasn’t expressed equality, as well as the Tinker. Once the Tinker departs, Elisa gets ready for her dinner with Henry, Henry comments on her strength and happiness. As they depart, the Tinker can be seen throwing away the seeds, a representation of how women were treated, solely for beauty and birth. Throughout the entire story, there is a sense of gender inequality for Elisa, who seeks equality in a male-dominated world. Elisa steers for freedom and equality but is constantly put down by her husband. Henry thinks little of what she does, he acknowledges her talent but knows she can’t do anything else. She is bound by a man, and the gender roles are defined clearly, obviously Elisa being subordinate. Coveting for equality from her husband, but getting nothing, she is restricted. The theme of equality is also seen in the interactions between Elisa and Tinker. Elisa ignites a connection with the Tinker, as she realizes, he might be her way out. Coveting for being set free and equal with men, along with pursuing her passions. Once more she is shut down and shown inequality. The Tinker comments that his travel and work are nothing for a “lady”, but rather a lonesome life, one more suited for a man. Elisa living in a male-dominated world, back in the 1930s, shows this theme of equality, and how desperately she wants it.
In the Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin, Mrs. Mallard is the main character who attains a weak heart, she is about to find out about the tragic death of her husband Brently Mallard. The narration of the story is third-person omniscient, all perspectives are seen. During the 19 century, Mrs. Mallard finds out about her spouse’s death, while in her residence. A family friend Richards has come to break the news of Mr. Mallard, Josephine, the sister of Louise, takes care of breaking it. Louise was in total disbelief and has many mixed emotions, the tone is filled with irony. Louise came to the point after crying and wallowing in sadness that she never truly loved her late husband. After sitting in silence and staring at the sky she let herself calm down, and she started mouthing the word “free”. Realizing she was finally free and relieved from this man that she didn’t love and wasn’t happy with. The dramatic irony is that her sister wants to be with Louise because she believed Louis was sad and mourning, which obviously was not happening. Toward the end as Louise feels collected, strong, happy, and free. At the end of the story, it takes another dramatic turn, ironically Mr. Mallard comes home because he was never killed. Mrs. Mallard dies of a heart attack, she was shocked that her husband wasn’t dead and that she wasn’t free. The theme of equality is obviously presented in the story, a woman who obtains this moment of epiphany and comes to the conclusion of freedom and happiness. Louise was oppressed by her marriage, although it was never clear that her marriage was a disaster, rather stifled. Stifled by her ways to express herself and embrace equality, rather than holding the stereotypical wifely duties. Louise understands she is no longer chained down by this previous marriage and the inequalities that came along with it. The theme discloses the story, Louise is shocked to see her husband alive and dies. Her freedom and equality are all washed away and gone, oppressed by her marriage, it went as fast as it came. Louise’s death signifies, not only the ironic outcome but freedom and equality from the oppressed. For the first time in her life, Louise will be equal and free, not bound by man or oppression, as her soul departs.
Equality is a standard right, upheld by all to hold the same rights and opportunities. In today’s society, equality is a right that is mistreated, in the news, we see immigrant children being separated from their parents and put in detention centers. This shows equality is not presented in our nation but is needed more than ever. Women today are still shown inequality, not being paid the same as men, and being taken advantage of. The short stories read, present a common theme that is still alive and going on today, inequality of women, and how much women deserve it. Reading about the theme of equality, is important, especially when it involves women. Equality is necessary for today’s society, a right that is slowly fading away, but if we read about it, we then understand its importance. Equality is needed for all, Elisa in “The Chrysanthemum”, is constantly put down by man, and strives for this leeway. Elisa is shown inequality by her husband and the Tinker, she wants to be feminine and masculine and pursue her own passions. Obviously, of the time period, this is impossible; Louise Mallard also seeks equality and receives it in the end. The lack of equality can restrict those from their true potential. Equality is not only a theme in stories but in reality.
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