The setting of “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant and “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin takes place in the 1800s, when men played the dominant role over women. In both stories, the protagonists each yearn for a better life and each struggle to find it in a slightly different way. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Kate Chopin and Guy de Maupassant both use imagery and symbolism to their best. In describing Mrs. Mallard's reaction to her husband's death, "the tops of the trees all quivering with new spring life... The notes of some distant song that someone was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were chirping in the eaves. » Immediately, the symbol of a chirping sparrow gives you a feeling of rebirth. The trees were all quivering with new spring life symbolizing new beginnings. A new beginning. In “The Necklace,” Guy de Maupassant uses the following imagery and symbolism: “She suffered incessantly, feeling born for all delicacies and luxuries. She suffered from the poverty of her house, its shabby walls, its worn chairs and its ugly curtains. All these things, which other women in her class would not even have been aware of, tormented and insulted her. Again, you get the impression here of a dull and unhappy house with all the material things tattered and worn as a symbol of old, aging and dreary possessions. Obviously, these are not things that would make her happy and make her feel young and vibrant. Although the Loisels are not part of the lowest economic class, Madame Loisel dreams of being rich. Guy de Maupassant also uses lists. This is meant to highlight the fact that she feels like she can name so many things that are wrong in her life and so many things that she wants. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Both stories use irony to make a point. In "The Necklace", Madame Loisel is invited to a prestigious ball and borrows a necklace that she found very expensive and lost it. Madame Loisel and her husband knew they needed to replace the necklace and saved for 10 years. Madame Loisel comes across Madame Forrestier and is told that the necklace she thought were diamonds was fake. In "The Story of an Hour", when Mrs. Mallard's husband appears on the doorstep, alive and well, and Mrs. Mallard sees him, it is she who collapses and dies from the shock of her life . “She died of heart disease. of joy that kills". Both writers send the message that all the suffering could have been avoided if they had been content with what they already had instead of chasing rainbows..