Story Of An Hour Literary Analysis Essay

Women of the 19th century were treated unfairly, not given the chance to speak their minds, were neglected of independence, and were unhappy with their marriage. The way women were treated during this time, is the primary focus of Kate Chopin’s short story, “The Story of an Hour.” Mrs. Mallard, the protagonist of this story, was unhappy living with her husband, Brently Mallard. After Mrs. Mallard’s sister, Josephine, attempts to forestall the news, she finds out that her husband had died; Her complicated feelings for her husband are depicted in her reaction to the news. Throughout the course of the story, Chopin uses imagery, symbolism, and irony to display the torture that women endured in the time the story was written. The use of

In the beginning of the story, Mrs. Mallard’s heart trouble is mentioned not only to politely describe her condition, but to emphasize the “trouble” that her “heart” experiences through her unhappiness and lack of freedom in her marriage. Additionally, anyone with heart trouble would only be expected to take the news of their life partner’s death quite harshly. In contrast, Mrs. Mallard’s cheerful response makes it evident that she was delighted to hear the news. Soon after Mrs. Mallard receives the sudden realization that she can finally settle without the worry of her husband and live the rest of life as a free, independent woman, her husband enters into the house. This incredible shock and disappointment she experiences the moment she lays an eye on him, is what leads her heart to failure. The doctors that assist Mrs. Mallard reply to this unexpected moment with, “she had died of heart disease—of the joy that kills.” (Chopin 2) During this scene, Mrs. Mallard is said to have died from the joy of seeing her husband that killed her. In contrast, on Mrs. Mallard and the reader’s know that it is the death of her joy that kills her. Also, viewing a person that was thought to be dead, alive is surely enough shock to kill someone, especially one with a weak heart. Indeed, the death of Mrs. Mallard was affected by the immediate loss of her much appreciated