An Hour Symbolism

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“The Story of an Hour” uses the symbolism of Mrs. Mallard’s heart trouble and death to illustrate the oppressiveness of marriage and the open window to demonstrate the freedom from it. The story shows how the liberation from marriage affects Mrs. Mallard through the use of the open window. Upon learning that her husband had died in a tragic accident, Mrs. Mallard is overcome with sadness and goes to her room to be alone. She sits in front of the open window, seeing that “the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life” (189) and that “the delicious breath of rain was in the air” (189). The open window represents freedom and new possibilities that for Mrs. Mallard now that her husband has died. Her sorrow is replaced by a