Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" and William Faulkner's "A Rose
             for Emily" both characterize the nature of marriage and womanhood by
             delving into the psyches of their female protagonists. Also, although
             Chopin makes no clear reference to geographic locale in "The Story of an
             Hour," both authors usually set their stories in the American South, which
             impacts these characterizations. These two tales share many other points of
             reference in common. For instance, Mrs. Mallard in "The Story of an Hour"
             and Emily Grierson in "A Rose for Emily" die at the end of the story, and
             both deaths are in some way related to how the women felt about their male
             partners. In fact, in both cases, the women are deeply affected by the men
             in their lives: their personalities and lifestyles have been shaped and
             molded chiefly by men. However, Mrs. Mallard and Emily Grierson develop
             differently. Mallard is a relatively young woman, while Grierson is older.
             Consequently, Mallard demonstrates a willingness to change and embrace
             newness, while Grierson clings to the past. Mallard experiences an epiphany
             that can potentially transform her life and which brings her immense joy;
             Grierson, on the other hand sank into madness and depression and killed the
             man she loved. Mallard is like a heroine; Grierson is pitiable. Therefore,
             although Mrs. Mallard and Emily Grierson undergo similar experiences,
             Mallard embodies positive qualities including joy, enlightenment, and
             personal freedom, while Grierson represents their opposites.
             Mrs. Mallard and Emily Grierson deal with death and sorrow
             differently. While both women obviously experience great pain and grief
             upon losing their respective partners, Mallard deals with her pain more
             constructively than Grierson does. When Brently Mallard is presumed dead,
             Mrs. Mallard experiences a "physical exhaustion that haunted her body and
             seemed to reach into her soul." S...