Kate Chopin's The Story Of An Hour

Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” is based on a woman in the 19th century whose husband dies suddenly in a tragic accident. As Mrs. Mallard learns of her husband’s untimely death and begins to grieve, she also begins to come to the realization she can finally start living a new way. However, Mrs. Mallard’s freedom is short lived when her husband arrives home, alive and well. In a twist, Mrs. Mallard’s hopes for a life free from the constraints of her marriage are ended abruptly with her demise. Chopin enlightens readers to the historical, political, and social circumstances of her era, as she challenges the status quo. She argues that women deserve the same rights as men. The intended audience for Chopin’s story is women, however, Chopin also wants to educate men. Chopin speculates her audience is familiar with oppressive conditions. She

Chopin's “The Story of an Hour” illustrates many of these issues. (Hicks)

Moreover, Dan Shen points out that “[a] woman seeking freedom in a patriarchal society may have internal conflicts because of uncertainty about the future” (Shen). For example:

[s]he knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her, fixed and gray and dead. But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. (Chopin)

This demonstrates that Chopin understands the inner conflict women faced while trying to enlighten them to new possibilities. When this story was written, Chopin’s main audience was married and widowed women, however, her message also applied to single, unwed women. She also hopes to enlighten men to the fact women have dreams that surpass simply being married. Today, Chopin’s message relates to both women and