Significant Phrases In The Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin

Significant Phrases within “The Story of an Hour” Kate Chopin’s short story, “The Story of an Hour” contains several phrases that have great significance to the story. The main character, Mrs. Mallard, receives news of her husband’s death and stands in the room, “facing the open window” (Chopin par. 1). The window is open, showing her the endless possibilities of her new life, outside the barriers of the four walls. It is significant because it symbolizes the freedom she now has with the death of her husband, who was holding her back. From the window, spring and the trees and the blue sky is visible, suggesting the joy that will overcome her. Chopin goes on and mentions that a feeling was overcoming Mrs. Mallard, stating, “she was striving to beat it back with her will” (par. 1). The unknown

She attempts, but fails to ward off the feeling and it prevails, consuming her in it. Her efforts to fight the feeling, however, were miniscule, and rather than trying harder, she simply let the feeling take over. What she is feeling is freedom. It was very common during this time period for women to have very little freedom and independence. According to Hartman, women during the late nineteenth century mostly stayed home and looked after the house while their husbands were off working (par.2). While their husbands had opportunities to see the world and do as they please, the wives would have to maintain the household and look after the children. Understanding the time period helps to understand how Mrs. Mallard was feeling and her reaction to this new feeling. Mrs. Mallard’s life was very domestic and she did not have the same amount of freedom that her husband had. Therefore, when the feeling takes over her, it is unfamiliar and she is weary of it. Chopin gives further insight, writing, “she had loved him – sometimes. Often she had not” (par. 2). This phrase reveals her