Feeling trapped is a part of everyday life and it is a feeling that is used very often in literature. For example, three pieces of literature that use vivid cases of feeling trapped are "The Story of an Hour", "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", and Oedipus Rex. In these three cases the word trapped is used in many different ways. In the short story "The Story of an Hour" Mrs. Mallard is trapped by her emotions.
             Sometimes a person can feel trapped while dealing with death, as in the case of Mrs. Mallard in "The Story of an Hour." After receiving the news about the death of her husband, Mrs. Mallard had mixed emotions about her feelings towards her husbands' mortality. First she had feelings of grief and sorrow, yet she had an overwhelming since of relief since she had felt trapped by her inconsistent love for her husband, as stated " and yet she loved him- sometimes. Often she had not"(Barnet 13). As this quote illustrates Mrs. Mallards feelings towards her husband were not strong yet she felt that she had to continue to be with him. When she heard of his death a weight was lifted off her chest. When she whispers "Free! Body and soul free!"(Barnet 13) she verbally expresses her realization of a new beginning and of escaping her trap. People are not always trapped by their emotions occasionally they are trapped by need.
             Sometimes in life there are people who are trapped because they are unable to function prosperously in society without the assistance of another person. Walter Mitty was a man who escapes society by day dreaming about being someone important and respected. In his day-to-day life his wife does not idolize him; therefore, he is forced to imagine his life is more extravagant. Yet without her, he could not sustain a healthy life. Even simple daily chores were challenging without her. "Walter Mitty began to w
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