Kate Chopin’s short piece “The Story of an Hour” was published in 1894. Chopin covers one hour in Louise Mallard’s life, from the moment she learns of her husband’s death to the moment he unexpectedly returns to the home alive. By indicating that she had a heart condition the author expresses the extent of how she was feeling oppression in her marriage. The story is about a woman who reacts with devastation when hearing the news of her husband’s death in a train disaster. At the same time she imagines a whole new life of freedom and independence which lasted a very short period of time.
Louise Mallard was a woman with heart problems. Because of her heart problems she had to be informed carefully about her husband’s death. Josephine, her sister, tells her the sad news of
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Brently Mallard passing away. Louise’s husband’s friend, Mr. Richards, learned about the railroad disaster at the newspaper office and saw Mr. Mallard’s name on the list of those who were killed. Mrs. Mallard cries dramatically in her sisters arms, after Josephine makes the announcement of Mr. Mallard’s death. This devastating reaction displayed her as being an emotional and expressive woman. Alone in her room, Mrs. Mallard sits down and looks out an open window. She views the world with a fresh outlook. Instead of feelings of darkness, she sees the blue skies and hears the birds singing. Her arms open symbolically welcoming her new life. She begins repeating the word Free to herself over and over again. “Body and soul free!” she repeats to herself once more. She was realizing that she was now an independent woman. Mrs. Mallard stares into the distance while feeling anxious. Even