Question

In at least 150 words, discuss the major themes in Frances Harper’s short story "The Two Offers." Use details from the passage to support your answer.

It doesn't have to be 150 words.

Answer 1

The short story titled "The Two Offers," written by Frances Harper, is a story in which two cousins by the names of Janette and Laura are handed two marriage offers, both directed to Laura, however. And although they are cousins, Laura comes from wealth and a higher class while Janette is poor and comes from a life of poverty. Harper uses these differences in the economical classes of the two women to highlight that there are, in fact, correlations between gender and class. Laura is convinced that she must marry in order to avoid becoming an old maid, while Janette does not marry and is perfectly happy to stay independent and pursue a career in writing. Because Laura is wealthy, she is afraid that if she does not then marry into another wealthy family, she will be left behind and poor and unhappy. Janette is most similar to the author, Frances Harper, because they both were unmarried when the short story was published.

Step-by-step explanation:

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Answer 2

The story concerns two cousins, Laura and Janette, who consider two offers of marriage extended to Laura. Though cousins, they represent two different classes, one of privilege and the other of poverty. By juxtaposing their class differences, Harper uses economic contrast to suggest that gender perspectives are related to class consciousness. Laura feels she must marry or face the fate of becoming an old maid. Janette, on the other hand, is unmarried and has forsaken tradition to keep her independence and to pursue a writing career. In this regard, Janette parallels Harper, who was unmarried when she published the story.