In literature, authors prepare main characters for various challenges that they will have to overcome throughout the story. Many of these stories present similar conflicts that can be compared and contrasted with each other. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The protagonists of Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path," William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," and Alberto Rios' "The Secret Lion" all struggle with society, the supernatural, other characters and themselves. The protagonists of each story face society's problems. Chopin informs the audience that the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, struggles with this problem because she lives in a world controlled by men. Rios' problem is that everyone wants the two protagonists to grow up but they refuse to do so. Welty addresses this issue by demonstrating through Phoenix how racism and poverty were well known during the time the story took place. Faulkner explains to readers that the townspeople thought Emily was too robust to marry someone like Homer Barron. Secondly, the authors reveal that the protagonists have complications with the supernatural. Mrs. Mallard developed heart disease. The kids are upset because they don't want to grow old but aging is an involuntary human characteristic. Phoenix's old age and terrible eyesight, over which he has no control, interfere with his journey. Emily's father was overly protective of her, which explains why he acts the way he does. Problems with other characters are another conflict that the protagonists of each story face. Mrs. Mallard wants to be free from her husband's rules, but others will judge her. The age-resisting boys had complications with their mother because she wanted them to stop acting like little children. After arriving at the doctor's office to pick up his nephew's medicine, the receptionist and nurse both treat Phoenix as if he were a charity case due to his appearance. No matter what Emily did, the townspeople had no authority over her. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Each story also dealt with conflicts between them. Mrs. Mallard was her problem because she wanted to achieve her goal by freeing herself from her husband, but the love she had for him held her back. The boys were aware that the time had come to mature in life but their stubbornness got the better of them. Phoenix struggles with herself because she talks to non-existent people because she is delusional. Emily has isolated herself from the world after her father's death and has developed unusual behavior. Additionally, "The Story of an Hour," "A Worn Path," "A Rose for Emily," and "The Secret Lion" all encounter barriers with society, the supernatural, themselves, and other characters that distract them from their goal . Although the protagonists in Rios and Chopin's story did not achieve their goal, the other two characters in Faulkner and Welty's story achieve their goal.