Paper #2

 Entrapment a Reality or an Illusion?

                   The definition of Entrapment is, the state of being caught in or as in a trap. The two stories that exemplify this is “The Story of an Hour” and “The Storm” both written by Kate Chopin.  The common thread in each story is that women are feeling trapped in their own, individual marriage. This theme can relate to many arguments regarding our First Lady Melania Trump. According to CNN and other media sources, her entrapment in her marriage is clearly obvious. This creates a battle between man vs. self conflict in facing the reality of entrapment in the situation or pretending to be in an illusion that entrapment barely exists.

                As discussed before, entrapment is used in many ways. A story that uses entrapment effectively is “The Story of an Hour”. Kate Chopin, a unique author, illustrates that entrapment is a vital component on this masterpiece. The story starts off with Louise Mallard, wife of Brently and whom has a weakening heart, finds out through a friend named Richard that Brently was one of those who were killed in the railroad accident.  This catastrophic news dramatizes Louise into a spiral of emotions. Louise began to contemplate about her own life. While, this currently happening she begins to see the trees, smells the approaching rain, and hears a peddler yelling out what he’s selling. Also, she hears someone singing as well as the sounds of the sparrows. These past examples show that the distractions are making her think about various aspects of life. But, a repetitive thought reoccurs in her head it’s the word “Free” and it constantly repeating to herself over an over again until, she feels happiness and warmth in her heart. Although, a current feeling of happiness has presented itself it, doesn’t diminished the fact of entrapment through the story.

The feeling of her husband Brently being gone will never change the fact that a piece of her has left forever. The sadness that will present itself will be unbearable but, the anticipation for the future of Louise has given her a hope of joyfulness. The thought of no oppression by the opposite sex intrigued Louise. Eventually, she feels nothing else matters now and is ecstatic for the future. Soon after the mourning of her husband, he suddenly appears proving the story of his death was not accurate. Louise then comes down the stairs to see her husband and, when she sees him she overjoyed with happiness which bring upon a heart attack from her weakening heart. Louise is pronounced dead at the scene according to the doctors.  The overall perception, that Louise died of happiness is a miscalculation. The entrapment that Brently was going to oppose on her for the future caused her death. The picture of happiness, joy, and freedom were the vital components in keeping Louise alive. The dreams that she imagined for herself came tumbling down. Clearly, the sense of entrapment reoccurring changed the story into a tragedy.

       Despite the fact, that “The Story of An Hour” have a vast number of examples of entrapment so does Kate Chopin’s “The Storm”.  At first, the story starts off with a small boy, Bibi, and his father, Bobinôt, waiting out a major Louisiana storm at a local store while Bibi’s mother Calixta was at home. The multitude of problems that exist are, the leaves staying so still even Bibi knows it’s going to rain, the somber clouds in the distance that are rolling with sinister intention, and finally the sullen, threatening roar accompany with the storm. At the same time of the storm in Part II Chopin states, “Calixta is at home, felt no uneasiness for their safety. She sat at a side window sewing furiously on a sewing machine. She was greatly occupied and did not notice the approaching storm. But she felt very warm and often stopped to mop her face on which the perspiration gathered in beads. She unfastened her white sacque at the throat. It began to grow dark, and suddenly realizing the situation she got up hurriedly and went about closing windows and doors” (Chopin). This past example shows how a change of events can change a person’s reaction to the scenario, and currently Calixta is feeling very entrapped in the situation because she doesn’t know if she will ever be in a family again. And also doesn’t recognize that she might have a chance to be free and to do whatever she pleases. The confusion that presents itself is going to lead into a spiral of dramatic events. After, the nervousness that Calixta expresses, out of nowhere her ex-boyfriend Alec appears at the gate. He asks, "May I come and wait on your gallery till the storm is over, Calixta?”. She responds by saying “Come 'long in, M'sieur Alce” (Chopin). Later, after Alec and Calixta catch up with each other, Calixta begins to rethink about her son Bibi and how the storm is impacting him. Chopin states that “She went and stood at the window with a greatly disturbed look on her face…Calixta put her hands to her eyes, and with a cry, staggered backward. Alce's arm encircled her, and for an instant he drew her close and spasmodically to him…"Bont!" she cried, releasing herself from his encircling arm and retreating from the window, the house'll go next! If I only knew w'ere Bibi was!”. Clearly, the impact of a son has a tremendous feeling towards a mother. But, unfortunately sadness and anxiety can lead into vulnerable actions such as sex with an ex or a different companion rather than a current love. Calixta felt for this according to Chopin when she states at the end of Part II “The generous abundance of her passion, without guile or trickery, was like a white flame which penetrated and found response in depths of his own sensuous nature that had never yet been reached…. When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy, inviting his lips. Her mouth was a fountain of delight. And when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life's mystery…. He stayed cushioned upon her, breathless, dazed, enervated, with his heart beating like a hammer upon her. With one hand she clasped his head, her lips lightly touching his forehead. The other hand stroked with a soothing rhythm his muscular shoulders…. The growl of the thunder was distant and passing away. The rain beat softly upon the shingles, inviting them to drowsiness and sleep. But they dared not yield” (Chopin). These moments show the weak and defenseless side of a women during times of crisis.  Evidently, “The Storm” epitomizes the word entrapment in many different forms.

        Although, “The Storm” and “The Story of An Hour” show many examples of entrapment in the literature world, while Melania Trump is clearly dealing with a situation like this currently. Melania Trump, our current first lady, has currently been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Our President Donald Trump presently has some issues with former Playboy actress Karen McDougal and porn actress Stormy Daniels over affair allegations with both. According to CNN, “Fake News” according to our President, he used “clandestine hotel-room meetings”, gave out payoffs, and complex legal agreements to keep affairs hidden. These were all ways for the public not to know. This latest information has definitely tampered their relationship. But, in the eyes of the public it can be beneficial or not to leave the President in our current society due to our multitude of problems in this country. This all wraps back to a huge predicament of entrapment of what Melania should do to save or to not save their marriage. In conclusion, entrapment is a reality for some individuals but, it’s for them to decide to want change or to stay in a confused, delusional, and unfulfilled illusion of a relationship.

   All in all, entrapment is a part of everyday life. Feelings of trapped, insecure, nervousness, and apprehension are major contributors to this. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t forget that it’s all up to the person’s decision to make his/her life better in the current situation because if they don’t no one will.