The point of view from the two authors that helps to tell the story
In Chopin’s “Story of an Hour,” the author uses an omniscient third person. The narrator helps Chopin to present a complete narration that is not restricted to the central character point of view. This is essential since, at the beginning of the story, it opens with the reader being aware of something that Mrs. Mallard doesn’t. Consequently, the narration comes to an end after Mrs. Mallard is already dead. Assuming Mrs. Mallard was narrating the story in the first person, there would be a different version of the story to the readers concerning her weak heart, and the story would probably end somewhat earlier and differently.
In the “Stockings” the author is shifting back and forth between first and third person. The book begins with the third person forming the groundwork for the topics book with insights and generalizations. In the second chapter, O’Brien uses the first person, putting himself as the character. This helps him to discuss the war with his former officer in command. He continues to interchange between the two voices as the novel progresses, producing an impressive effect. This technique helps the author in telling the story through using the experience of war by recording the fighter’s feelings and actions and also playing the character in the story. This develops a sense of distance as well as experiencing the story first hand. Therefore, the reader can form a fluid switch from general to specific.
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Themes addressed by each author through actions or reactions of the protagonists.
In Chopin’s story, the author is representing a larger theme through the use of both the actions and reactions of the main character. The author provides a more major theme of freedom in the story through the use of Mrs. Mallard. For instance, the narrator shows how Mrs. Mallard shrinks away from the approaching feeling of liberty after she underwent unsatisfying realities full of oppression and manipulation.
O’Brien’s on the other hand, uses the character of Henry Dobbins to show the theme of love and home or even comfort. Henry Dobbins, for instance, is seen carrying his girlfriend’s pantyhose. This demonstrates the desire for love and comfort as well as reminding him of home. Stockings, in this case, are used to bring back the memories of when Dobbins was with his girlfriend away from the jungle and the war.
Conclusion and assumption made by the reader from the two narratives
As the story progresses, the narrator makes the reader believe that Mrs. Mallard was actually selfish and had no affections towards her husband. The narrator points out that she was excited about her husband’s death because she got a chance to be free. However, as the story ends, the reader concludes that it was not Mrs. Mallard fault to have these feelings, she was helpless and had suffered a lot, and therefore she needed to be liberated. Therefore, she cannot be blamed for being selfish or not being affectionate to her husband.
From the character of Dobbins, the reader can make assumptions that it is the state of mind that makes an individual powerful. This is because, in the end, O’Brien narrates to us that Dobbin’s girlfriend broke up with him, yet Dobbins still preserved the stockings. Consequently, this is an indication to the reader that the power of stockings is not gotten from love or his girlfriend’s memory but Dobbins himself.
