The first and most obvious difference between Elizabeth
Bates ("Ordour of Chrysanthemums") and Josephine ("The Daughters of the Late Colonel")
is that Elizabeth is a wife and mother whereas Josephine is a spinster (never married,
never having borne children). Another difference between the two is that the dead man in
Elizabeth's life is her husband Walter, whereas in Josephine's life the dead man is her
father.
A similarity between the two women is that the
deaths of the men in their lives brings a unasked for opportunity to look into their own
lives and hearts. Elizabeth recognizes that despite Walter's irresponsible
drinking--which must hold most of the cause for their failed marriage--she is not free
from blame in the failure. She realizes she was never able to understand Walter; it
might be argued that it is impossible to understand a man who sacrifices his dignity and
the provision of his responsibilities for alcohol. Josephine realizes she can touch
freedom and liberty of spirit now that her father is dead. This is revealed in how she
and her sister respond to the sound of the organ grinder's music coming in through the
window.
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