Case Study: Contrasting Themes in Two Short Stories: Analysis

This case study analyzes two short stories, 'The Girls in Their Summer Dresses' and 'The Story of an Hour,' exploring contrasting themes of relationships and independence. The first story delves into the fragility of relationships and the impact of a lack of commitment, particularly through the husband's visual focus on other women, leading to his wife's insecurity. The second story examines the theme of independence, portraying a woman who, despite a loving marriage, finds liberation in her husband's perceived death. The analysis highlights the differing viewpoints on love and relationships, the conflicts arising from differing needs and desires, and the contrasting reactions of the women in each story, ultimately touching on the role of fate and human nature in shaping these experiences. The study compares the conflicts and the resolutions, emphasizing the contrast between the women's desires for attention versus independence.

Case study
The girl in the summer dresses and The story of an hour

In “The girls in their summer dresses” story the author wants to tell that the relationships fragile,
especially when the person involved in a relationship is not committed strongly. The story
describes an understanding and agreements which are temporary and tentative. It is a story of a
marriage quarrel, in which Michael is very compulsive for watching girls. Michael is visually
oriented, and his wife feels insecure due to his behavior because he wants his attention. Frances
has no interest in her life expect to be Mrs. Michael Loomis, but his husband is not giving any
special attention because he is paying attention to the other girls. In the other story “The story of
an hour” the author wants to convey the message that the independence is an ultimate pleasure
which can be imagined privately. Though the marriage of Louise is very successful despite love
among them, he felt Brently's death as a release from oppression.
The character viewpoint of Michael Loomis states that he can’t help looking at other girls in
spite of complaining by his wife because she felt hurt and insecure. The dramatic conflict is not
having any resolution because there is no conceivable resolution of this conflict. The story
mainly looks like a confession in which the husband is having a habit of looking ta girls which
can't be resolved because men are psychologically programmed, and they are attracted towards
women. The feelings of Frances get hurt by his behavior. Frances shows her devotion to attract
him but Michael does not completely vest in her, and it is difficult to say that he is committed
towards his marriage or not. The conflicts are arises because of the Michaels behavior of looking
at other girls. Michael satisfies his need of own pleasure by watching other women’s, but he is
not considering the happiness of his wife. The issues are arises because of conflicting in their
need and thoughts. Michael said that he like the girls in the offices who are smart, chipper,
young, wear eyeglasses, take care of themselves and others. He said that he love to sit next to the
women's who are spending six hours in dressing herself, and the New York City fascinates him,
and it allows him to think about the girls from different nations. The idea behind telling his liking
is to explore Frances so that she can also look like other girls. The issues were created due to
different opinion of both in the context of love. Francis thought that the love means interested in
your partner not any other girls but Michael's point of view is totally different he loves his wife
but at the same time he is interested in other girls too which creates a conflict among them.
The Chopin explains that all the marriages are kindest, but they are inherently oppressive. Louise
is not having any problem in her marital life still she felt oppression from the death of his
husband. Louise firstly felt very sad and show her grief towards her husband's death but after
that; she felt that she is now independent, and freedom makes her happy. Louise does not explain
the specific way in which his husband oppressed her, but she indirectly conveys that marriage
stifles both the husband and wife. The story reveals that the marriages rob the independence of
people.
In both the stories, the issues are different in the first story the issue is related to the habit of his
husband to look at other girls who are an unsolved story because it is a human nature which can't
be changed. In the second story, the woman felt independence from the death of his husband.
Both the stories are different because in first story the woman feels insecure he wants all the

attention of his husband whereas in the second story both is having a happy marital life but still
his wife felt independence after his death. It all about fate because the person who wants the
attention of partner she is not getting it whereas the person who is getting it that does not give
importance to it. The issues are similar, but the reaction of both the women are different Frances
wants his husband's attention whereas the Louise does not want his attention even she felt happy
for her independence. Though it all about the fate because the person who wants will not get
according to their choices because it is not in their hands. The destiny is pre-written so enjoy
whatever you get and satisfied whatever you have.