Literature Analysis of “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin’s "The Story of an Hour" was originally printed in in 1894 and it is a story that documents Louise Mallard’s complicated reaction after learning of her husband’s demise. The story presents Mallard’s last hours of life and the psychological and emotional changes, which occurs after learning of the death. Chopin sends Mrs. Mallard on an emotional roller coaster and self-actualizing mental spins and turns, which all arise following the information of her husband’s death. Instead of feeling desolation and loneliness, she experiences the feeling of freedom but when she later realizes that the husband is still alive, her anticipation of freedom is thwarted. The crushing frustration that kills the protagonist in “The Story of an Hour” mirrors (albeit not conclusively) the oppressive nature of marriage of that era.
Kate Chopin uses descriptive detail and imagery to contrast the ironic possibilities for which Mrs. Mallard longs given the dull reality of her daily life. Chopin accomplishes this by relating the story using the narrator’s voice in first person. However, the narrator is not just an observer but rather is aware that, for instance, Mrs. Mallard never loved her husband (Chopin 1). Clearly, the narrator is aware of more than can be seen physical. However, the author never lets the
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Mallard’s emotional response after she was informed of her husband’s death. When her sister informed her about his husband’s death, she “sank into a comfortable armchair” (Chopin 2). It was clear that her marriage held her back. After learning the death, Mrs. Mallard knew that there will “be no powerful will bending her” (Chopin 2). After learning about the death Mallard recognizes that he will not be there to restrict her any longer or direct her will. She repeats the words, “free, free, free” as she feels her body coming alive (Chopin par.