Kate Chopin is an author who is known for the usage of natural imagery as a way of bringing her readers closer to the narrative. It is prominent in the majority of her works by incorporating descriptors that one would find in nature in an effort to express the mood or plot of her stories. One such writing is “The Story of an Hour”. It depicts the moments following Mrs. Mallard learning of her husband’s death, it takes us through her grief and hope of what life will bring her, only to discover later that the information had been misconstrued and her husband was, in fact, alive. Kate Chopin uses natural imagery in “The Story of an Hour” with symbolism, depiction of grief, and the hope of new life.
Kate uses symbolism throughout “The Story of an Hour” as a way to further illustrate what the character, Mrs. Mallard, is going through. She speaks of Mrs. Mallard gazing through an open window as though she is faced with looking at all that life has to offer now. There is a phrase that comes to mind when I think of the window, “When God closes a door, he opens a window”. The open window represents the opportunity that Mrs. Mallard now has. There is mention of sparrows twittering in the eaves as we look through the window. The sparrow is a symbol of empowerment and productive
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This entire story takes place in one spring day. Spring is a time for new life and renewal. It is an awakening after months of cold and desolation. Not only does it reference spring, “The Story of an Hour” directly correlates spring with new life. “The tops of trees that were aquiver with new spring life.” The paragraph that speaks of something coming to Mrs. Mallard. Creeping out of the sky, color filling the air speaks of her realization of what she has to look forward to in the new chapter of her life. That not only can she survive this tragic news but that she may, indeed, flourish in light of