There is a close link between the life of people and the art of the written word. In fact, many themes and motifs depicted in literature are taken from real life. Thus, the latter is often a subject of literature. Moreover, life can be regarded as a formless and raw material, which the art of the written world transforms into a creative and original form. In literature, the audience can usually find the portrayal of the writer’s experiences of life that he or she transmits in a specific artistic manner. Although the literature is an expression of writer’s attitudes, specifically, individual views on life, it represents the problems of different countries and nations. In this respect, violation of female rights depicted in The Yellow Wallpaper and The Story of an Hour conveys not only views and attitudes of its authors, but the issue the entire society faces. Therefore, a tight connection between life and literature allows demonstrating vital problems that are important to the overall human experience, specifically the oppression of women’s rights.
Literature can be viewed as a foundation of life. It underlines vital issues of humankind, human tragedies, as well as comedies, provoking people to think. According to Clive Staples Lewis, literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become. Thus, the art of the written word makes the real world brighter because it provides the audience with an opportunity to look through the eyes of others. In this respect, literature can be defined as a looking glass into the thoughts and attitudes of other people. Moreover, literature has a vital role to the readers and the entire world. Indeed, literary works do not only show the audience specific characters, situations, and problems, they provide people with important lessons, which can act as examples for them. Thus, it is the choice of the reader whether to follow them or not. At the same time, literature helps people to build life experiences from both sad and happy stories. Additionally, the art of the written word enables people to develop thinking skills. Therefore, without literature, people risk degrading and declining.
While the literature has a direct connection with life, it is obvious that the former reveals the problems that exist in society. On this subject, violation of female rights, specifical oppression of their desires, as well as deprivation of opportunities, can be regarded as a topical issue. The two shorts stories of Kate Chopin and Charlotte Perkins Gilman together perfectly depict the particular social problem. Although The Yellow Wallpaper and The Story of an Hour have been written in the 19th century, the issue they portray remains actual. Both literary works discuss gender equality, specifically its lack regarding women of all social classes and positions. Nowadays, violation of female rights continues to exist in many countries all over the world. Politicians, journalists, and activists constantly debate about this social issue. Unfortunately, 200 years passed since Chopin and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s stories were presented to the public, but nothing changed.
Although both men and women have equal social, political, religious, and cultural rights, they continue to be at risk of facing oppression, discrimination, and abuse. The law cannot stop violent acts committed against women at home including verbal, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, marital rape, or even murders. Moreover, oppression of female rights based on gender, race or nationality is also quite a familiar manifestation of aggression towards women of the contemporary world. In this respect, sexuality can be regarded as one of the most common causes of female oppression. In many cases, the abuser is a friend, co-worker or a member of a family. As a result, women undergo not only physical but also a psychological abuse that complicates the process of returning to the real world. At the same time, many women become victims of verbal or physical abuse in public places. In fact, men view themselves physically and mentally stronger comparing to women and think that they can oppress them without a threat of being punished. Furthermore, many women face domestic violence where their husbands do not only oppress their needs and desires but also physically hurt their wives. The reasons for such behavior can be different, including the desire to show male dominance over women, to feel them