Theme and Symbols Combine With Stories: Paper Example

Introduction

Many short stories written by different authors seem different; nonetheless, all of them share a common theme despite their differences. Despite the number of words and settings used in writing poems, they all argue a central main theme which is supported by minor themes. The case is depicted in "The Storm" by Kate Chopin, "Girl" is a short text written by Jamaica Kincaid, and "I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen. Kincaid on the "Girl" focuses on the mother-daughter complex relationship because she continues teaching her daughter ways of being a perfect woman in the society. Her rules and directions become more demanding as the short story continues. Olsen story also shows the relationship between a mother and her daughter. The close bond between them is separated because the mother has to leave her baby girl with a sitter when she goes working. Similarly, Chopin in "Storm" is concentrated on freedom of women and in her case, she deals with sexual liberation. The three stories depict the complexity of the relationship between mother and daughter as women try to liberate and free themselves from social expectations.

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Kincaid's "girl" features a story of a young woman who is separating from the innocent and confusing age into adult age. Since childhood, the girl has been listening and obeying what her mother says. The mother tries to teach the adolescent girl appropriate social behavior, cultural customs, and specifically proper sexual behavior in keeping a raised girl. There are some gender roles which the girl should undertake in the society. The mother attempts to advise her by instructing the way she should live her life and perform her daily tasks. It can be inferred that the girl's mother learned this way of life from her past may be from her mother or her grandmother. She wants to pass it to her daughter who would then pass it to her future generations and so on.

The story can be from any culture that trains their daughters the domestic chores and how to maintain sexual chastity. The girl's life is full of directives, imperatives, interrogation, and prohibitions that make it difficulties for them to relate well. The girl is aged between 10 and 15 and her mother is certain that it is the right time to train her roles in the house. as a woman, the society expects her to do activities such as laundry, sewing, gardening, homeopathic medicine, abortion, proper table manners, superstition, Sunday school conduct, house cleaning, entertainment, setting the table, fishing, love, personal hygiene, and budgeting.

The mother and daughter relationship becomes complex when the girl starts to rebel her mother's instructions. She trains her on how to uphold social behaviors when she says, "on Sundays try to walk like a lady and not like the slut you are so bent on becoming" (102). The mother believes that passing her daughter the beliefs she learned from her past would make her a perfect woman in the society. Similarly, the behaviors and chores that the mother forces the daughter emulates are connected to how women's responsibilities that should not relate to those of men. "Girl" depicts the author complexity relationship with her mother while growing up.

The main theme in "I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen is similar to that of the "girl". The two short stories concentrate on mother to daughter relationship. Tillie shows the bond a woman has with her child which is created few days after the child is born. Unlike Olsen, Kincaid shows the close relationship between a baby and a mother being threatened not by age by because the mother has to work. She leaves the baby with a babysitter and they now barely know each other. The child and the mother are trying to fight the absence that has weakened their situation unlike in "girl" where only the mother was resisting bad behaviors that could tarnish her reputation in the society.

Unlike in the "girl" where the family seems to be well-up in "I Stand Here Ironing" story there is poverty. The woman loves her little girl and wants to take care of her all the time but she has to work to provide for her family. The story is similar to the "girl" because in this case women despite the fact that the society expects them to look after children and do household chores. The mother regrets the poor health of the baby which has resulted from lack of care.

The story demonstrates the complex relationship between the child and the mother although it is only perceived by the mother. The mother only remains with memories or a baby crying, searching for reasons not to be separated but since she is a child, she cannot beg or rebel the separation. The child is unhappy and someone has to cheer her up when her stepfather is absent. The mother and daughter are now separate people because anger, hurt and deprivation have made the bond more severe than before, and therefore their connection weakens every day. The mother was advised to feed the child at a set interval and place her in a nursery school where she would be taken care of while she works. She now acknowledges that she destroyed her daughter emotionally but she promises that she would never repeat it again.

Unlike in the "girl" where Olsen demonstrates social freedom from taboos, gender roles, and sexual purity, Chopin in "The Storm" portrays sexual freedom or liberation. He emulates what the other two writers could not through the use of imagery to signify sexual awakening. As the story begins, Chopin adopts a clear description of thunderstorms. Bobinot and Bibi, his son stay in the store, however, Coastal is at home but "did not notice the approaching storm". She notices Alcee who she made love to 5b years ago while standing in rain. The storm kept her husband away and she got an opportunity to bring her lover and the author says that her lips were ". As red and moist as pomegranate seed " (114).

"The Storm" seems to approve adultery to fulfill passion and desire. This sin is cleansed once one stays in the rain. In the story, the reader learns that Calixta and Alcee have a history of sexual encounter and finds passion when they fulfill this desire. They are both unhappy with their marriage but cannot say so because they are afraid of losing their partners (114).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the three stories in "The Storm" by Kate Chopin, "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid, and "I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen. Kincaid on the "Girl" successfully demonstrate the social issues affecting modern America. These issues include the complex relationship between mother and daughter, gender discrimination, social expectations. The novel shows characters who are risking everything to fight for what they believe is best for them. Parents should care and understand their children rather than forcing them to practice social values that have no benefits to them. Parents should a; also offer emotional support to their children especially during childhood to improve their confidence.