Linoleum Roses, Kentucky, 1833

566 Words3 Pages
Sandra Cisneros’ “Linoleum Roses” and Rita Dove’s “Kentucky, 1833” are two short stories that are very different on the surface. However, if we study them a little deeper, we can easily discover the similarities within. Although they differ in their characters and situations, both stories share two main aspects regarding the characters lives: their lack of freedom and their satisfaction with their lives. First, in “Linoleum Roses” Sally faces a great number of constraints forced on her by her husband. She compares the ceiling of the house to a wedding cake, although ceilings and walls usually imply limitations and restrictions, for she is not allowed to go outside without her husband's permission. Another noted aspect of those constraints is her husband forbidding her from looking out the window. Although the famous theme of “the woman by the window” is used to describe oppressed females who –similar to Sally – are not allowed to leave the house and the window is their only connection to the world, the possessiveness of Sally’s husband stops her from doing even that. In addition, Sally is not allowed to talk on the phone or invite anyone to visit, unless her husband is working, because “he doesn’t like her friends”. Likewise, the slaves in “Kentucky, 1833” also face a numerous number of restrictions. Other than being enslaved and treated like animals, the slaves are also forbidden from learning. They are not even allowed to read from the Bible. They are also illiterate, except for the old woman Acker, “She’s the only one who could read to us from the Bible, before Massa forbade it”. Furthermore, Sunday is the only day the slaves are allowed to rest; still, they are not allowed to go to church on that day. Second, Sally in “Linoleum Roses” seems satisfied with her life. She is happy to have her own things, even if she does not often get money from her
Open Document