marriage and relationships

Why do the women in the two stories act as they do?
I think both women are secretly glad that their husbands are dead.  But, they cannot reveal their true feelings.  If Minnie lets others know how she really feels they will figure out she killed her husband, so, she is upset and very withdrawn.  Everyone including Louise's sister assumes she is happy with her marriage and loves her husband.  She is expected to be upset when hearing of his death.  Both women seemed to be unhappy in their marriages and knew they were free from a life they did not want.  They could visualize their new futures.

What are the differences between the two women?
Minnie in "A Jury of Her Peers", is a woman that left a life of song and happiness only to be trapped in an unhappy marriage with a very possessive man that does not really care about her.  She is treated almost like a slave in her own home.  She lives in a house with no luxuries at all.  Not even a telephone.  She probably works very hard everyday and is expected to clean, cook, and do what she is told.  She misses her old life and tries to compensate with what she has.  Minnie is sad and lonely.  There are no family or friends to talk to.   When she finds something she likes or cares about it is taken away.  I get the feeling she is physically and verbally abused by her husband. Minnie kills her husband and ends up in jail.

Louise in "The Story of an Hour", is a woman that is in ill health due to a bad heart.  She is fragile and needs to be taken care of.  She lives in a nice house with luxuries. She has a somewhat comfortable life.  She has family and friends that care about her.  Her husband seems to love her, but , she has fallen out of love with him for some reason.  She probably is not able to work or go out much.  He husband works a lot and is away from home often.  She is lonely and wants more out of life.  You cannot tell she is unhappy by the way she acts.  She wants to be free from her marriage.  When Louise finds out her husband is not dead she has a heart attack and dies.

The two women's similarities.
Both women are in unhappy marriages.  They are both sad and lonely.  They want more out of life.  Both of their husbands are dead.  They both are happy their husbands are dead and know that it is best if they keep their thoughts to themselves.  Both of their lives have changed dramatically. 

Differences between the men. 
John in "A Jury of Her Peers", is controlling and possessive,  he is not loving and kind to his wife.  He does not want to share her with anyone else.  He does not want her to have anything that makes her happy.  He is old fashioned and thinks women are not his equal and should not be treated as so.  He has no respect for his wife.  He is mean to her and treats her like a slave.

Brently in "The Story of an Hour", is caring and loving toward his wife.  He knows she is sick and wants to care for her.  He works hard to provide for her.  He thinks she loves him too.  He has friends and family that care about him and his wife.  But, maybe he doesn't realize that she is not happy.  He thinks their marriage is strong and she cannot live without him.  He tries to be a good husband.

Husband Similarities 
They both have no idea their wives are unhappy or maybe they do and are dealing with it the only way they know how.  I think the two men are very different.