Freedom Concept Map Project by Zachary Gombotz

Freedom/Choice

bl29408 — 2023-12-08 16:57:48 UTC

Hills Like White Elephants

bl29408 — 2023-12-08 16:58:41 UTC

The Story of an Hour

zg29446 — 2023-12-08 16:59:05 UTC

The Handmaid's Tale

bl29408 — 2023-12-08 17:03:18 UTC

Abortion

zg29446 — 2023-12-08 17:09:57 UTC

bl29408 — 2023-12-08 17:13:07 UTC

During this time period, women lived in a very patriarchial society, they had no control over their assets, money, land; they had no economic or social influence/power.

bl29408 — 2023-12-08 17:17:24 UTC

When her husband died and after her very brief grieving period, Mallard began to realize that now she had freedom. Socio-economic freedom, freedom from her husband, freedom to make her own choice and do what she wants when she wants to.

Fertility, the White elephant shows that the women in the story Jig is pregnant

zg29446 — 2023-12-08 17:18:02 UTC

Zack G. and Ben L.

zg29446 — 2023-12-08 17:25:32 UTC

bl29408 — 2023-12-08 17:27:12 UTC

Mallard initially has grief over the death of her husband and locks herself in her room and sinks into her armchair. As she starts to realize the implications of his death (being free) she starts to notice more and more around her (e.g. the sky and the peddler on the street). Once she fully accepts it, she unlocks her door and walks down the stairs like "a goddess of Victory..."

bl29408 — 2023-12-08 17:34:15 UTC

bl29408 — 2023-12-08 17:38:01 UTC

Pregnancy is so precious in this society, that abortion would never be allowed, due to the world's fertility crisis. Only the head of the household's choice (the man) and he will never opt for abortion.

bl29408 — 2023-12-08 17:40:44 UTC

The world's fertility crisis has caused the community of Gilead to resort a highly oppressive and patriarchal society with women having nearly no say and Handmaids (while physically precious, they have no rights) at nearly the bottom.

bl29408 — 2023-12-11 14:13:31 UTC

Slight contrast - While pregnancy is important in this time period and women have less of a choice, ultimately the girl in Hills does have the last say, while Offred has literally no choice whatsoever.

bl29408 — 2023-12-11 14:15:29 UTC

Similarity - In all three stories, none of the women have full choice; all live in a patriarchal society.

bl29408 — 2023-12-11 14:23:31 UTC

Freedom - freedom from having a child, freedom to go where they want when they want to (having a child would challenge that). Freedom to try new things (e.g. Anise del Toro). Freedom to make decisions about the abortion.

bl29408 — 2023-12-11 14:28:44 UTC

Choice - While the man is trying to influence Jig (e.g. "you know how I worry") the choice is ultimately Jig's because it is her body although the man is trying to influence her, he cannot stop her from making her decision.

bl29408 — 2023-12-11 14:31:48 UTC

Certain aspects are very reminiscent of the time periods that Hills and Story of an Hour are from (e.g. their attire, patriarchal society, female/male roles in society - Women cook and clean and host while the men conduct business and politics.

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bl29408 — 2023-12-11 14:45:51 UTC

bl29408 — 2023-12-11 14:50:05 UTC

The handmaid's find freedom where they can - little bits of information passed by word of mouth between errands. Offred stealing a singular match. Reading and learning as much as they can.

bl29408 — 2023-12-11 14:51:17 UTC

bl29408 — 2023-12-11 14:54:00 UTC

In all three stories, the women try to find choice and freedom wherever they can - Hills: the drink, her creativity, her ability to have a steadfast opinion.

Story: Her freedom from her husband and society's oppressive rules.

Handmaid's: See connected box.