Mrs Mallard Symbolism

In “The Story of an Hour,” the author uses symbolism, and irony for the main character, Mrs. Mallard. Throughout this third person omniscient short story, there are turns of emotions and ideas that are given to the reader. Alongside that, there is irony possessed in the story as well as symbolism. The use of symbolism gives the reader an understanding of Mrs. Mallards emotions through the story. And the irony shows the turn of events later shown in an interesting case of events. In the opening paragraph to the story, the author tells the reader that Mrs. Mallard has a heart condition. The second sentence gives the reader knowledge to believe that her husband Mr. Mallard has died. Upon understanding this, the reader may assume that Mrs. Mallard

Mallard starts to realize what she now has become. She has become free, free from the chains of marriage. But even though Mrs. Mallard feels free, she is still locked in a room further more lock in her own home. No matter where she is in that house she can never be free. The fake feelings that she is experiencing is the main cause to her death at the end of the story. Mrs. Mallard has believed to have found her true self. This feeling is what she held dear and could not ever part with. In the room Mrs. Mallard, after realizing she is free, silently chants to herself. She continues to whisper “Free! Body and soul free!” During this time Josephine is trying to speak to Mrs. Mallard saying, “Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door” Josephine also exclaims that Mrs. Mallard will make herself ill. Louise answers back to Josephine saying “Go away. I am not making myself ill.” The story stated that she was drinking the elixir of life through her open window. (Chopin) The same window were she had found her freedom. Louise is imagining her days that she will control as her own. The spring and summer days, she prays that her life will be long. Even though days before she shuddered at a long life knowing it will be in the hands of Mr. Mallard. (Chopin) After Louise’s thoughts of hope she finally opens the door to her sister waiting for her. She walks out of the room feeling victory over herself. Falling to her knees at Josephine’s waist, she was in

Mr. Mallard was starting to open the door as he had finally returned home. The symbolism here was Mr. Mallards own latchkey; it still states how Louise was trapped and not free from his grasp. Mr. Mallard entered the room to everyone’s shock, he was thought to be dead from the train accident. In that very moment Richards was too late. He was not able to shadow Mr. Mallard in time for Louise to not see. This is another show of irony. In the beginning of the story Richards was too early when delivering the news of Mr. Mallards death. Now he is too late, leading to the death of Louise. The shock was brought to everyone in the room. Josephine lets out a piercing cry and Richards movements to screen Mr. Mallard. Again, being too late Louise had already seen Mr. Mallard. The sight of him was the flame that burned her freedom right before her eyes. Everything she had dreamed of, the spring and summer days, all gone because he was alive. The excitement of everyone in the moment was too much for Louise’s heart to handle. She died in those moments, the disease had already done its work. The doctors had pronounced her death by heart disease. The said that it was joy that had killed her. Only Louise did not die of joy, but of shock and pain. The irony in these moments showed how even though she felt free and wished for a long happy life it was Mr. Mallard who took all of it away. The sight of