Louise Mallard Symbolism

Themes or moral lessons which an author shares often helps the reader understand the story on a deeper level. In The Story of an Hour, the author, Kate Chopin uses three different objects as symbols to develop an idea into the theme of the forbidden pleasure that one gains from independence and can enjoy only in their private life. Firstly, the door that leads into the protagonist, Louise Mallard’s bedroom represents the entrance to her inner thoughts and her safe place away from the rest of society. When she is outside her room, she acts violently and shows grief towards her husband’s death, but: “When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her” (74). Initially, Mrs. Mallard plays a role of a stereotypical woman who must

Mallard’s death but as soon as she steps foot into her room, her fictitious personality fades away, and she begins to feel the joy of her independent life. The entrance to Mrs. Mallard’s room represents her private life and her ability to think for herself without society weighing her down. Furthermore, the author uses the open window that Mrs. Mallard is looking out from to symbolize the freedom and great opportunities that await her. She sees beautiful creations of nature from the window which exhibits to the readers that she has a whole new life ahead of her: “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life” (74). This vision of a ‘new spring life’ provides an idea to Mrs. Mallard and the reader of how happy and bright her new near future is; at least for the next hour. But, when she turns away from the window, she turns away from all the freedom and happiness she would have had. At this point, the pressure of society is giving in on her, and she loses the chance of her possible freedom. Lastly, the front door of the house represents the cruel society in which Mrs. Mallard