A simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert
Gustave cuts across idealism through the short story in which Felicite is the main character. The title of the story reflects on the character’s heart as that which is graceful. Felicite adores her family and despite her low wage as a maid, she is kind and resourceful. The lady forgoes her love for Theodore and helps a widow in Pont –Leveque as a loyal servant in her homestead. Notwithstanding her educational background, Felicite lives a deep spiritual life up to her time of death (Flaubert, pg. 60). Her noble acts are unrecognized in society since she has no family or life outside the orthodox walls of religion.
Story analysis
Flaubert asserts the major themes of ‘A Simple Heart’ as the solace of the church, domestic life, the richness of reminiscence, and the effects of human daily activities. In the short story, the author tries to explain real-life experiences using Felicite and Madame Aubain. Gustave particularly mentions how Felicite lets Theodore marry a different rich woman and goes to France as an act of compassion (Flaubert, pg.6). The writer manifolds to his audience as well as other authors the benevolent tone of the narrative with a taste of irony towards the end. Ironic in the sense that Felicite believes she can get to France from Cuba by land with the little knowledge she has from Paul. The writing style of the storyline is descriptive, forthright, and undeviating. Like other credible authors, Gustave is very proficient in that he narrates the story through a chronological series of events that arise from Felicite`s childhood to death.
A Simple Heart is a story set on Pont –Leveque in the first half of the 19th century in the native town of Normandy. According to the author, the little town is known for its fine cheese though the major setting is in Aubain`s home after she moves in due to high debt and her status quo. The writer is quick to remind his audience of the beat for the drums to signify the exact dates of the narrative. Flaubert uses a third-person perspective to describe the events from Cuba until Felicite`s death that casts the uniqueness of the chronicle (Flaubert, pg.2). The omniscient is a sole virtual trick to the readers and lures them to have an impartial vision of how things are in reality. For instance, Madame Aubain fails to recognize Felicite`s distress in the third chapter however, Gustave helps us get the feeling from a third party`s standpoint.
“Girl “by Jamaican Kinkaid: Story Analysis
The “Girl” portrays the relationship between a mother and her daughter in Jamaica in the late 19th century as its basic setting. The arduous tone echoes that of a reprimanding mother who by her experiences guides her daughter on how she needs to present herself following societal values and beliefs. Kinkaid pens down the narrative through her proficiency as a woman purposely to teach her girl of the current generational tricks (Kincaid, pg.3). The author is realistic and tends to teach readers how women should present themselves in the outlook of dress code, demeanor, and duties. Consequently, she depicts the themes of tradition more specifically when the mother enlightens her daughter on how to prepare the Caribbean food.
The readers find the submissions of Kincaid impressive since the writing styles are expressive. From the few chapters, anyone can analyze three main concepts which include beneficial and undesirable pieces of advice, the burden of parents and their offspring, and the societal stereotypes. Kincaid stamps on two major characters who are the mother and the child. The central narrator rather is known as the first person viewpoint is the aspect of the description of the short story (Kincaid, pg. 4). Kincaid denotes a very powerless genesis of the narrative where the girl gets only two chances to express her feelings. However, the entire storyline captures the audience`s imagination and the techniques empower Girl in a complex manner.
‘Girl’ and ‘A Simple Heart’ conclusively discuss societal issues such as culture and nobility. Both writers use exclusive writing styles that most readers concur to be very impressive. Every story has a theme and a specific tone. The two narratives contrast in their time of settings and locality since Gustave bases his work in France while Kincaid is in Jamaica. Based on the conclusion for both stories, the authors idealize their thoughts through instances where Kincaid equips the girl with basic skills in womanhood.
Works Cited
Flaubert, Gustave. A Simple Heart. HS Nichols, 1898.
Kincaid, Jamaica. Girl. San Francisco Examiner, 1991.