Topic > "Happy Endings" by Margaret Atwood

"Happy Endings" is an interesting short story by Margaret Atwood, which aims to show that the end of a narrative is not as important as the middle. I chose this story because as a reader I understand clearly that the central part of the story is the key part that is unique. Furthermore, the narrative itself is unique from the others because it has multiple plots and each story has a different version ensuring that everyone is satisfied and Atwood has avoided gender discrimination in the stories. his writings (Atwood 289). However, “Happy Endings” reflects the life of the individual in which one falls in love, gets married, owns a house, has children, retires, and eventually dies. On the other hand , I opted for a story by Ernest Hemingway “Hills like White Elephants” because I find it more complicated and symbolic. It has a deeper and more contradictory meaning and makes it difficult for readers to understand the content entire narrative, but it took exceptional perception for me to realize that the couple was arguing about having an abortion. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The main goal of this article is to compare and contrast two stories by different authors, “Happy Endings and Hills like White Elephants”. However, the goal is to interact with the narrative environment to understand how perfectly each author focuses on the literary setting. Furthermore, the article compares two stories to choose and understand how the subjects connect in meaningful ways. The aim therefore is not to state the obvious, but rather to highlight subtle differences and unexpected similarities. However, the article uses literary settings such as imagery, symbolism, characters, and gender differences to understand how the two stories share various properties. To be precise, the article aims to make the two articles more interesting by illustrating how the stories are different. In “Happy Endings” most readers may find it contradictory, as it is a story with different contexts within it. Therefore, the article creates a clear understanding of why Margaret Atwood decided on the title and content (Atwood 290). In contrast, Ernest Hemingway's “Hills Like White Elephants” also has its uniqueness in using symbolism that readers find contradictory to the meaning of the narrative (Wyche 59-70). A search strategy will be formulated to identify the comparison between "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway and "Happy Endings" by Margret Atwood, and journals from the EBSCO database and scholarly sources used to investigate all information requested in relation to the literal setting. in the two stories. The sources used were based on the 2009-2018 time frame to ensure the data was up to date. Terms to consider when searching for academic articles and sources are, symbolism, metaphor, literal setting in “Hills Like White Elephants” and “Happy Endings”. Data will be retrieved from an article only if it clearly illustrates the literal connection between the two stories. The methods to be used in this document are essential and effective, as they determine the quality of the evidence used. Using many sources is important as it will allow access to more information. However, advanced technology developed annually will make it easier to filter the required data. “Happy Endings” by Margret Atwood and “Hills like White Elephants” by Hemingway are two stories, with different meanings. In Atwood's fiction, the entire context uses satire in a way that mocks the naive notion that an individual can have asimple happy ending (Mead 39-47). It reflects the story on normal human life in each of the plots and readers are directed to the message that people need and must overcome obstacles in life. In Atwood's tale, both genders are affected in both negative and positive ways. However, its fundamental message to ensure that both genders are equal is that life does not appear according to our expectations, but every incidence in life has a source and a purpose. To be precise, in section 'A' John and Mary die happy, but in other sections death does not create a happy ending. Margret Atwood's short story is interesting and full of symbolism, and in a plot summary it has six different outcomes. Therefore, the stories end differently and make them appear sarcastic as they all go against the different structures of a culture. In “Happy Endings” by Margret Atwood each character is used as a symbol of a social structure that the writer intends to criticize (Mead 42). Atwood perfectly uses John as a stereotypical symbol representing a male capable of anything. James is also used as a symbolic characteristic of the future generation, who are far from becoming cultured individuals. However, the future generation represented by James is portrayed as destructive and materialistic. Furthermore, women are also used as a symbol in Atwood's story whose main perspective is to get married, settle down and have children. Ultimately all the characters are a pillar of the existing culture we live in. Similarly, Hemingway's “Hills Like White Elephants” is a story also based on the relationship between a man and a woman. As in Atwood's story, Hemingway also exploits the disagreements between the two characters, but in their conversation directed at the Jig woman about an operation that is supposed to be of great significance to their relationship (Hemingway 402). Hemingway's tale has two essential symbols, drinks and hills, which help to clearly understand its meaning (Wyche 59-70). The story begins with a vivid description of the surrounding environment, that the two characters were surrounded by hills and fields, so it better illustrates the couple's situation. On the other hand, Atwood's short story also begins with vivid description, as the writer creates a perfect life for both Mary and John in the "A" section. However, both authors create a symbolic aspect of women struggling to achieve equality compared to their male partners. The symbolic act arises from the theme of domestic conflict which is a life choice that cannot be undone. Furthermore, the relationship between the two stories is generated by the choices made by the characters. So Hemingway uses the Jig to act against what his male partner chooses. On the other hand, “Happy Endings” themes are created by different individual choices, which generate an impact on other people's lives. Betrayal is also a symbolic aspect in Atwood's narrative, although it is dominated by a single person in a relationship. Both stories have imagery that makes them easy to understand, because the authors ensure that everything that was left unstated would be easily understood in the work of fiction. . According to Hemingway's account, the image is created along white hills, of which he does not illustrate why they are white. The image serves to evoke something in the sun, but perhaps it is the pregnant belly of the American girl. However, the metaphor is used a lot in Hemingway's story because, despite the setting in a warm place, the shadow is depicted little (Wyche 59-70). On the other hand, Atwood also uses metaphor a lot in his work, when he uses six scenarios in a single story (Mead 40-47). The image is seen in domestic violence to which both sexes contribute. Therefore, the six stories area picture of different issues faced by married life and their significance. On the other hand, Hemingway also uses a unique writing style that attracts many readers to his short story. “Hills Like White Elephants” is certainly an attractive and profound story just like Atwood's. However, his writing is complicated because unlike Atwood, his story has a hidden element in the structure of the dialogue between the two characters present. In writing Hemingway focuses more on literal setting that uses symbolism, dialogue and even hidden meanings that push readers to a different level. The author uses alcohol as a huge symbol, where a couple sitting in a bar, although in a lonely mood, orders drinks. Even though the woman is pregnant, which seems like a nuisance to the man, she continues to drink alcohol and the writer does not explain whether she cares or not. However, it is clear from this case that the man is confident in his decision to have an abortion. Atwood, on the other hand, bases his narrative on domestic conflicts, which impact relationship problems. The story is about things that happen in our real life and in most cases death provides the happy ending. Therefore, the author focuses both on the mechanism of gender stereotypes. However, the themes portray marriage and love relationships, illustrating values ​​and elements of society. Atwood reflects in his story the things that marriage fulfillments bring and their meaning. In contrast, Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" is a story set in a unique style whereby; uses irony, storytelling and literature. It is ironic how the writer sets his charades in an argument mood, and the basis of their disagreement is over the killing of an unborn child (Hemingway 33-90). However, Hemingway's fiction has a deeper and more contradictory meaning and makes it difficult for readers to understand its content. At first I was perplexed based on the entire narrative, but it took exceptional perception to realize that the couple was arguing about abortion (Wyche 59-78). The topic is the plot of the story and male domination is found as the primary and obvious choice in the final decision. In this story, the topic is used to resolve the domestic conflict, and the author does this perfectly by starting the setting with the couple sitting in the shade while drinking. On the other hand, Atwood's narrative depicts death as the main solution to the relational question. In version B of Atwood's story, he uses character development and the incident witnessed is a little painful compared to version A. The narrative itself is unique from others because it has multiple plots and each story has a different version. The purpose of many versions is to ensure that everyone is satisfied, the author has avoided gender discrimination in her writings. Margaret Atwood's story differs from Hemingway's in setting because, instead of focusing on plot which is a fundamental art in narratives, it begins by exploring theme. The story is not based on storytelling, but on the art of fiction, as the author makes sure that the characters take risks. At the beginning of the story, Atwood gives readers six options on whether to continue reading the rest of his story. However, in the "A" version it is very predictable for readers and is expected to happen less. However, the author perfectly used the best atmosphere to attract the attention of the readers, without implying twists or drama in the first section. Furthermore, in the "B" version of Atwood's story the mood changes as life is depicted as full of complications, and the plot changes where the love relationship is depicted as unequal.However, the writer considers more interest in her story unlike the first section which was more obvious, describing the characters of Mary and John as pathetic and having a dysfunctional relationship. In contrast, Hemingway's narrative is set up in a complicated but obvious way, making it more predictable for readers. It is through the setting of the story that the atmosphere and tone of the story are created. Unlike Margret Atwood's short story in which she is part of the story, Hemingway uses the third person in telling his story about a love relationship between a man and a girl (Wyche 59-70). His story is peppered with the use of symbols and metaphors to provide a vivid description. However, the plot is not easily identifiable as the author uses heavy dialogue throughout the story. Therefore, the location plays an essentialrole as well as the characters that make up the story. Analysis of Happy Endings by Margaret Atwood From the moment of birth, women are raised to adhere to gender roles considered "traditional" in relationships according to social standards. In a predominantly male society, women are required to know how to cook, clean, look attractive and be sexually prepared to make their man happy. In "Happy Endings", Atwood creates an interaction between John and Mary. He lets the reader choose between six different circumstances that might occur after their first meeting, but says option A is the only one if a happy ending is preferred. The story explores the harsh stereotypes of women, the double standards imposed by society and the traditional idea of ​​the place of man and woman through in the form of short stories that show different outcomes. In the "B" story of "Happy Endings", Margaret Atwood uses Mary to show what a woman typically brings to a relationship. She demonstrates this by having Mary be submissive, attractive, and passive in a relationship with a man she wants to marry. She does this because she has been conditioned to believe that she needs to get married to achieve ultimate happiness. Mary, who desperately wants John, lets him take advantage of her again and again. She gives herself to him in the hope that one day her feelings of lust will transform into feelings of love.' He comes to her house twice a week and she makes him dinner, you'll notice she doesn't even consider it noteworthy. the price of a dinner out, and after having dinner he fucks her and then falls asleep'. She cooks and cleans for him and allows him to use her as his sex toy. The author uses this scenario to show us how if a man does not want to commit to a woman, it is acceptable in society. It's also not uncommon for women to trade sex for a man's time and attention. The moment Mary realizes she has forgotten John is when John is seen taking another woman out to dinner. He never took her out to eat. 'Mary collects all the sleeping pills and half a bottle of sherry. You can tell what kind of woman she is by the fact that it's not even whiskey.' At the end of the situation, Mary fantasizes about trying to take her own life. Only to be saved, like a damsel in distress, by John. Unfortunately, John doesn't come to get her and the amount of pills she swallows mixed with alcohol kills her. It seems that Mary's suicide shows how she wants her image not to be affected when John finally arrives. In scenario C, Atwood displays one of the double standards applied to women when it comes to relationships. “John, who is an older man, falls in love with Mary, and Mary, who is only twenty-two, feels sorry for him because he is worried about his hair falling out” (210). In this scenario, Maria meets Giovanni, who satisfies her need for love and affection. He is a married man with two children and a "satisfactory" life. "John tells Mary how important she is to.