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Story Of An Hour Identity Essay

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“The identity of one changes with how one perceives reality” -Vithu Jeyaloganathan In philosophy, identity is a relationship between something and only itself. Such a description is accurate within The Story of an Hour, a tale that follows the actions of Louise Mallard as she learns of her husband's supposed “death” (1).¹ The sudden news of such a tragedy leaves Louise to grieve, realizing that she is now alone. However, this loneliness is also freedom, something Louise has possibly never felt and allows Louise to discover a new identity. The Story of an Hour exemplifies a theme of personal identity and emphasizes how mindset plays a huge role in the discovery, and even loss, of self. Themes of personal identity are seen consistently throughout …show more content…

One must understand that identity is not something created, it is discovered, and it’s discovered as people’s mindsets change and evolve. The understanding of oneself relies greatly on the understanding and perception of everything around. The change in mindset is a frequent occurrence throughout The Story of an Hour. For one, the concept of freedom is itself a change in mindset as it indicates Louise has originally only thought of herself as trapped but gains her freedom once Mr. Mallard dies. Additionally, Louise’s mindset of grief quickly turns to one of joy as “she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely” (2). Louise begins to think of the future and all she can do with her freedom, something she has never done before. Her outlook becomes one of excitement and determination to enjoy her freedom. “She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long” (2). Louise’s mindset changes rapidly and drastically throughout the story, but none so more than her sudden despair and shock as she realizes her husband is alive. The doctors even say her mindset played a factor in her death. Louise “die[s] of heart disease--of the joy that kills” (2). This statement, exemplifying the magnitude of the role of mindset in the story, is partially true. Yes, Louise dies of joy, but not the joy of her husband returning. She dies of the joy she experienced upstairs, primarily her sudden loss of her newfound

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