Initial Assessment Essay, "The Story of an Hour"

Initial Assessment Essay: On the "The Story of an Hour"

Are the differences from the late 1800's and the early 1900's and today really all that different? The difference between then and now is that we as a society do not look at divorce as a negative thing just a part of life. In the late 1800's and the early 1900's divorce was not an option and they just lived with the marriage the way it was.
Mrs. Mallard was in a situation where she was not happy with her marriage and she disliked her husband. Her initial response to the information of her husband's death she was upset and then she shortly reacted differently when she realized she was free. Is this karma that she was mentioning? Was it that she finally was showing her true feeling over what she believed with her husband but she was the one that paid the consequence of life?
Back when this story was written, the information that I was told by my elders is that divorce was not an option back then. I understand that when someone gets married, you truly love your other half. But what if there is that certain instance that you fall out of love or there is that change on the person that you once married. Back then most would just live with it. In today, most will just end the marriage.
Today's divorce rate is higher than it has ever been. Most divorces are filed due to financial issues, adultery, abuse, as well as other reasons. For as today, there are a lot of financial issues. Our economy is not real hot right now and can cause a lot of grief on a marriage. You hear something like Alex Rodriguez, 3rd basemen for New York Yankees, which has committed adultery with Madonna and is now getting a divorce from his wife. Then, you have those husbands or some wives that become abusive. Abuse could be mental or physical. But all these have led to divorce.
Then you have death. When someone loses their partner in life, most will grieve. As the story mentions, it makes me wonder if she was one that would have or already had someone else in mind that she wanted to be with. Some that lose their husband or wife will get remarried right away. Is this because they cannot fathom to be alone or is there someone else that they wanted to be with and now that they are free then they can take that opportunity, if available.
I just know how marriage or death was handled back in the late 1800's, early 1900's, is different than how it is handled or dealt with today. Today marriage can be ended in just a simple fight. Death can be more of a joy rather than heartbreak. All I know is that we do have one life to live but life brings challenges and you cannot give up on just something that challenges that path on a simple basis.

Good afternoon.

OK, slow down. :)

First, what are your areas of concern?
Second, what are the requirements for the paper?
Third, what is it that you do like about what you have here?

Regards,
Gloria
Moderator, EssayForum.com

Every time I read it I feel like I am just rambling and sounding like a blubbering idiot... :) I like the concept that the difference in how divorce is perceived back in the 1800's and currently, but I just don't feel like it makes since when I write it out, and when I go to break it down and correct i pretty much delete and start all over.. :( Any suggestions and ideas to not ramble would be GREAT...

Requirements: Must be 350 words, and it is to put the story in to perspective and the difference in how divorce is perceived then and now..

Got it pulled together.. It is a little better any suggestions on what can improve or what I am missing?

Thanks for all you help




Are the differences from the late 1800's and the early 1900's and today really all that different? The difference between then and now is that we as a society do not look at divorce in a negative way as they did in the past. We look at it as just a part of life. In the late 1800's and the early 1900's divorce was not acceptable to society and they just lived with the marriage the way it was even if they were unhappy.
Mrs. Mallard was in an unhappy marriage, but in those times she was expected to make her marriage work and divorce just was not to be thought of. Her initial response to the information of her husband's death was a normal response of a grieving wife, but then her emotions changed to happiness when she came to the realization that her husband being dead meant she was now "free."
My grandparents told me that during the time that this story was written divorce was not an option or to even be thought of. I understand that when someone gets married, they truly love their other half and it is for better or worse, but for some reason some people just fall out of love or there is change in their spouse and they aren't the person that they married. Back then most would just live with it. In today society marriage doesn't have as much of importance to some as it did. Today if there is a problem in the marriage there is the mentality of just end it.
Today's divorce rate is higher than it has ever been. Most divorces are filed due to financial issues, adultery, and abuse. Finances are a major reason for divorce theses days with the economy where it is there is a lot of financial strain that is affecting marriages. In the media there are stories like Alex Rodriguez, 3rd basemen for New York Yankees, which has committed adultery with Madonna and is now getting a divorce from his wife. Then, there are those spouses that become abusive, but all of these instances can lead to divorce.
When someone loses their partner in life due to death, most will grieve. Some that lose their husband or wife will get remarried right away. Is this because they cannot fathom the thought of being alone or is there someone else that they want to be with and now that they are free they can now take that opportunity?
Divorce in the 1800's, early 1900's, was looked at very differently from how it is looked at today. Today a marriage can result in divorce due to just a simple argument or disagreement. I know that life brings challenges, but you cannot give up just because there is an obstacle in your path of life.

Good afternoon.

Here are my thoughts:

"Are the differences from the late 1800's and the early 1900's and today really all that different? The difference between then and now is that we as a society do not look at divorce in a negative way as they did in the past. We look at it as just a part of life. In the late 1800's and the early 1900's divorce was not acceptable to society and they just lived with the marriage the way it was even if they were unhappy. Where is your support for this assertion? A strong citation would really bolster your statement here.
Mrs. Mallard was in an unhappy marriage, but in those times she was expected to make her marriage work and divorce just was not to be thought of. Her initial response to the information of her husband's death was a normal response of a grieving wife, but then her emotions changed to happiness when she came to the realization that her husband being dead meant she was now "free."
My grandparents told me that during the time that this story was written divorce was not an option or to even be thought of. I understand that when someone gets married, they truly love their other half and it is for better or worse, but for some reason some people just fall out of love or there is change in their spouse and they are not the person that they married. Back then most would just live with it. In today's society marriage does not have as much importance to some as it did. Today if there is a problem in the marriage there is the mentality of "just end it." Why is that? What has changed?
Today's divorce rate is higher than it has ever been. According to who? Most divorces are filed due to financial issues, adultery, and abuse. Supporting citation? Finances are a major reason for divorce theses days; with the economy where it is there is a lot of financial strain that is effecting marriages. According to who? In the media there are stories like Alex Rodriguez, third basemen for New York Yankees, who committed adultery with Madonna and is now getting a divorce from his wife. Citation? Then, there are those spouses that become abusive. All of these instances can lead to divorce.
When someone loses their partner in life due to death, most will grieve. Some that lose their husband or wife will get remarried right away. Is this because they cannot fathom the thought of being alone or is there someone else that they want to be with and now that they are free they can now take that opportunity?
Divorce in the 1800's, early 1900's (Remove comma) was looked at very differently from how it is looked at today. Today a marriage can result in divorce due to just a simple argument or disagreement. I know that life brings challenges, but couples cannot give up just because there is an obstacle in their path of life."

I think what you could use is some research to bolster your statements. As it sits now, even if this is an opinion piece, it is not very credible because you do not provide any sources as to where you found information that would substantiate the statements. If you can get some research behind it, the essay could be very effective.
Also, watch your use of casual contractions and the pronoun "you." In formal academic writing neither is appropriate to use. Instead of using "you" try using a specific noun or the pronoun "one."

Regards,
Gloria
Moderator, EssayForum.com