Examine the portrayal of the relationship between the sexes in the short stories of Chopin and Hardy

Hardy describes in ‘The Sons Veto’ that Sophy and Randolph have difficult relationship as in the story he says, “He drifted further and further away from her.” Now that Randolph grows and matures quickly, he realises his mother's social state and begins to drift away from her sabotaging their relationship. Hardy indicates that Randolph is becoming up himself, as he is better than his mother. Therefore, Sophy feels very lonely in the house as she has no one to converse with

Hardy continues the story by bringing back Sam into the view. Sophy longs for Sam and feels apologetic towards him as "She had occasionally thought of him, and wondered if life in cottage with him would not have been happier lot than the life she had accepted.” Sophy feels very sorry when she compares her present life to maybe… Sam and Sophy meet and talk about their childhood times in the countryside. Sam is aware of Sophy's social class and addresses her as a Lady. During their meetings Sam tries not to be so friendly with Sophy, as she is upper class. He is respectful towards her. Sophy seems to relish while with Sam. She is aware of the class system and tries not to be as confident with Sam as it says "Sam pulling himself up now…though himself too familiar…" "A woman of pure instincts, she knew there had been nothing wrong…supposed it conventionally to be very wrong indeed." Both quotations indicate that Hardy's intention is the unfair class system. One of the effects it gives is to put barriers between Sam and Sophy. Sophy feels guilty in enjoying herself. In her heart, she feels right to enjoy but not in her mind. Hardy at this part of the story promotes the values of honesty, compassion and love.

Randolph studies in one of England's most distinguished public schools. He feels superior to his mother and this disappoints Sophy. Despite the fact that Sophy's only concern is her son. Hardy specifies one of their meets when Sam invites Sophy to Covent Garden: "´Why not ride up to Covent Garden with me? There's a nice seat on the cabbages…`" Here, Sam offers Sophy to sit on the cabbages. This is not acceptable in the eyes of the society and Sophy knows this and refuses to sit. But then with excitement she agrees. Sitting on the cabbages is not a suitable attitude towards upper class society. Hardy at this interval indicates that Sam works in South London as a market gardener manger and is planning to set up a new business and a house from the countryside. He wants to certify his plan, but desires Sophy to join him. Here is a dialogue from Sam: "´…I'm not sure if - you'd join me. I know you wouldn't - couldn't! Such a lady as we've been so long, you couldn't be a wife to a man like me.`" Hardy in Sam's speech illustrates that Sam is not good enough for Sophy due to her being upper class. Even though Sophy once had refused to his marriage proposal he still does not think that is her final answer.  Because her relationship with Randolph was as bad as it was, she doesn’t feel she can trust having a relationship it another man. She didn’t want to refuse Sam’s proposal. She still did.