Saini 1

Short Story Compare and Contrast

The first page of this worksheet will be used for gathering information and
taking notes in order to write a detailed compare and contrast analysis. The
following pages will be used to write the 3-paragraph analysis in MLA format.

Title of 1st story: The Story of an Hour

Author of story: Kate Chopin

What is a possible theme (message):

Copy and paste quotes into the space Write notes for why you chose the
below to use as evidence. quotes as evidence.

● ●

Title of 2nd story: Eleven

Author of story: Sandra Cisneros.

What is a possible theme (message):

Copy and paste quotes into the space Write notes for why you chose the
below to use as evidence. quotes as evidence.

● "Today I'm eleven. There's a ●

cake Mama's making for
tonight, and when Papa comes
home from work we'll eat it."
 Saini 2

Vihaan Sini

Mrs. Currier

AM Multimedia

22 February 2024

Short Story Compare and Contrast Analysis

Paragraph 1: "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin is a poignant

narrative that revolves around the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, who learns about

her husband's death. The theme of the story explores the complex emotions of

freedom and self-assertion. As Mrs. Mallard grapples with the news, the text

states, "She said it over and over under her breath: 'free, free, free!'" The

narrative delves into her conflicting feelings, emphasizing her realization of

newfound independence and the constraints of societal expectations. The story

suggests that true freedom for Mrs. Mallard comes with her husband's demise,

leading to a surprising twist when he unexpectedly returns, resulting in her

tragic death.

Paragraph 2: Sandra Cisneros' "Eleven" offers a different perspective on

the theme of age and identity. The story portrays the internal struggle of an

eleven-year-old girl who doesn't feel her age, experiencing a collision of various

emotions from different stages of her life. The text reflects, "Today I'm eleven.

There's a cake Mama's making for tonight, and when Papa comes home from
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work we'll eat it." The narrative unfolds as the protagonist faces embarrassment

in front of her classmates due to an ugly red sweater mistakenly attributed to

her. The story captures the complexities of growing up, the societal pressure to

conform, and the desire to be understood for one's true self.

Paragraph 3: Comparing the two stories, both delve into the theme of self-

realization and societal expectations, albeit in distinct ways. While "The Story of

an Hour" explores the liberation from societal norms through the unexpected

death of the protagonist's husband, "Eleven" portrays the internal conflicts and

societal pressures faced by an eleven-year-old girl. Personally, I find "The Story

of an Hour" more captivating due to its unexpected twists and exploration of

freedom through tragedy. Kate Chopin skillfully uses irony and symbolism to

convey the theme, creating a powerful impact. Cisneros, on the other hand,

effectively captures the struggles of adolescence in "Eleven," but the preference

for one over the other is subjective. Chopin's use of symbolism and the

unexpected turn of events contributes to a more impactful expression of the

theme of liberation.