Both of the stories have opening similarities, since they both have descriptive, semantic fields and adjectival clusters to give the reader an outline of the environment during that period in a short but effective method. Also they both seem to have quite dominant women characters in these short stories, either being well educated or being confident and fearless.
Annie knew the consequences about getting together with John, “There is considerable scandal about John Thomas in half a dozen villages”. This definition is that John Thomas has “Recklessness” about him, no concern for his reputation. The society then also felt that men should be faithful, this of which John Thomas wasn’t. We are also given facts to question if Annie is in a current relationship when she says, “She had a boy of her own”, but we are not given anymore, so the reader is left mystified, I also thought about when she says a “boy” it could mean she has a son.
On page 124 Annie finalises her feelings for John Thomas, since she tries to justify her thoughts by repeating the words “after all”. Annie also thinks that she can change him. Sibilance is used to show that she has officially given in to him, “soft and slow and searching.”
Her behaviour starts to take a toll, since John wanted more of a “nocturnal presence” rather then a proper relationship. Annie begins to show a totally different personality. Revenge is the key word for her behaviour as she then, gathers all of John’s ex-girlfriends to take part in this unreasonable and unacceptable act in this society. In comparison to the “Merchant of Venice” having an unorthodox method of revenge too. John’s stupidity also speaks for himself having gone into a room with his entire ex’s with no consideration of what’s going to occur. The Similarities of John and Mr Marroner in “Turned” are quite ironic, doing very careless acts, which is bound to cause them grief. Annie’s abnormal manner towards John is highly unacceptable since she and the other women continue battering him until all his dignity, status and pride is no longer there, just to make him “choose”. The quotation below shows the comparison of verbs, changing from intense to vicious a juxtaposition of roles of power.
“She fetched him a sharp blow over the head with the buckle end. He sprang and seized her”.
Their wild animal packed conduct was very inexplicable especially, during that period in time especially. The writer uses an animal metaphor “wild frenzy of fury and terror”, showing the reader how bizarre Annie’s demeanour is. Also there is another animal reference, since the women appears to be acting as a packed of hyenas would. “Their faces were flushed, their hair wild, their eyes were all glittering strangely”, I noticed this is also a metaphor for the after stages of sex.
In my opinion Annie’s means of revenge is highly uncalled for and she could have found other numerous methods to get her revenge, without damaging his health and pride to such an extent. Also during that period of time that sort of behaviour would have been definitely not acceptable to that society and also in 2002 terms as well.
The comparisons and similarities of both short stories are that they involve betrayal between relationships. Even their actions and behaviour towards betrayal are quite abnormal. Both main women characters in the stories also appear to be quite upper class or high status being well educated. We know this because of the language they use. The central male characters of the stories are quite badly punished also in way or the other, even when they have realised what they’ve done showing true remorse.
The language and grammar the authors use are also very descriptive using semantic fields for imagery. The authors use language to differ wealth and status also e.g. Mrs Marroner to Gerta. In comparison to 2002 term’s society would have been more lenient, in the story “Turned” climax, due to every known detail of affair or divorce would have been the headlines then. But in relation “Tickets please” would still have nearly the same or worst effect as it would from 1918 – 2002.
The language used in both ‘Tickets Please’ and ‘Turned’ is highly descriptive having a variety of adjectives, abstract nouns, repetition and extended metaphors. This method of writing is very sufficient for these short stories. For example in ‘Turned’ line 47, there is a string of adjectives “Long, loving, frequent letters” describing Mr Marroner’s love to Mrs Marroner while he is away on business.
Extended metaphors are also quite effective on page 121 ‘Tickets please’, “Are they not companions in peril, shipments abroad this careering vessel of a tram-car, forever rocking on the waves of a stormy land”.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman introduces Mrs Marroner with air of mystery at the beginning of the story from the end with emotion. The introduction tells us about her emotions using a string of adjectival clusters and abstract nouns making the reader intrigued of what’s occurred. There is also quite a lot of repetition to emphasise what’s happened. At line1 & 14 it describes the parallel lives of Mrs Marroner and Gerta. Mrs Marroner having a “Soft-carpeted, thick –curtained, richly furnished chamber” then opposed to Gerta “uncarpeted, thin-curtained, poorly furnished chamber”. Line 18 tells us “She wept for two”, this explains that maybe she could be pregnant? The author uses oxymoron’s to describe Gerta “Meek young goddess”, and “but ignorant and childish-a girl of eighteen”, comparison of opposites. The finalisation of the pregnancy was on line 79, which was the beginning of all the story problems. This is the quote, from which we know this information,
“At last she suspected her of something which could not be denied”.
Mrs Marroner also really wanted a baby, making this situation more misfortunate. “How they do come where they are not wanted-and don’t come where they are wanted!” This shows the irony and envy of Mrs Marroner, of Gerta's pregnancy. From line 107-113 was the climax of all mistakes, this of which Mr Marroner, sending the wrong letter to his wife giving all evidence of his affair with Gerta.
The actions of Mrs Marroner due to this distraught event, is quite peculiar since she defends Gerta and basis her anger and blame on Mr Marroner “Some men can love two women at the same time. This was not love”. Semantically he distances himself from line 108-115. Mr Marroner unorthodox behaviour was a taboo in that society and his reputation will be “doomed to degradation”. His careless stupidity is somewhat humorous but ironic “One thing he felt perfectly sure of-she knew”. Mrs Marroner’s demeanour is quite odd since she leaves her husband, which is understanding but takes Gerta and looks after her and her baby.
Personally I think that Mrs Marroner decision was quite acceptable to a certain extent, but taking Gerta and the furniture was quite strange. Also from lines170-174 her husband shows true remorse and still she doesn’t forgive him. But what she’s forgotten is that it takes two people in an affair and not all the blame should be based on Mr Marroner. The last quote “What have you to say to us?” can have numerous meanings, but my interpretation is that Mrs Marroner was completely heart broken and finds it very hard to forgive but takes occurrences extreme and emotionally intense.
