Gender Roles in The story of an Hour, The Raven and Antigone
In the 19th century, women were seen to be lesser beings compared to their male counterparts. They never happened to enjoy the same resources, nor did they receive equal treatment with men. For instance, women were only allowed to stay at home as housewives and raise children. They were also denied education and were not allowed to work. Kate Chopin’s short story Story of an hour, Edgar Allen Poe’s poem The Raven and Sophocles drama Antigone, shows the treatment of women in the hands of men.
Chopin’s work Story of an Hour clearly shows how women were treated. This can be deduced from Mrs. Mallard’s reactions. She had a hidden resentment towards her husband and observed herself as a caged bird. She had no voice and freedom, as her husband controlled everything. This can be deduced from her reactions after receiving news about her husband’s death. While she pretended to be heartbroken, she rejoiced in her room and believed she was finally free. Upon receiving the news, she whispers, “Free! Body and soul free!” (Chopin 757). Also, upon seeing her husband, she collapses. While the doctors indicate that it is the joy of seeing her husband that kills her, she dies because her freedom that she thought she was going to enjoy was taken back. The window that Louise Mallard sat also indicated the possibilities that her husband’s death would offer her, which is freedom.
On the other hand, Sophocles’ work Antigone also covers the theme of gender roles and how women were treated unequally compared to men in great measures. The drama displays a contrast regarding how women were expected to behave and their role in society. For instance, in the play, Creon believes that men should be the primary actors, while women are required to take a subservient role in society. This is also observed when Antigone’s sister Ismene supports the notion that women should be submissive to men as they are a low-grade individual when she argues with Antigone regarding their brother’s Polynices burial. She tells her sister Antigone, “We must remember we are women born, unapt to cope with men; and, being ruled by mightier than ourselves…” (Sophocles 3). Her words show that they valued men more than women and that they should control everything while women should follow what men say.
Lastly, Poe’s poem The Raven also covers the theme, although not into much detail as compared to Chopin and Sophocles’ work. However, while The Story of an Hour and Antigone displays how women are not valued in society, Poe’s work shows how men value women. They are seen to be an integral part of men’s life. For instance, the Lover nostalgically remembers his dead lover Lenore which affects his mind and mood. He loves her, although she is gone. They are even seen as pure. For instance, Lenore is said to be a “sainted maiden” (Poe 71)
In conclusion, gender roles is one of the key themes in Chopin’s work, The Story of an Hour, Poe’s work The Raven, and Antigone by Sophocles. Sophocles and Chopin’s work displays how women were treated as lesser beings and inferior compared to their male counterparts who dictates everything in society. However, Poe’s poem shows deep contrast by displaying women as valuable gems that men adore and remember even after their death.
Work Cited
Chopin, Kate. Kate Chopin: The Complete Novels and Stories. Book House Publishing, 2016.
Poe, Edgar A. The Raven. R.G. Badger & Company, 1898.
Sophocles. Antigone. Prestwick House, 2005.