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Story Of An Hour Literary Analysis

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“The Story of an Hour” is a short story written by Kate Chopin. In this brief story, Chopin exhibits an unparalleled shape of marriage that is not always noticed by others and also incorporates an insane twist that involves massive disappointment for the main character. The characters assumptions lead to desires she never knew she had, resulting in the ultimate betrayal of herself. When the main character, Mrs. Louise Mallard, discovers the passing of her husband, Brently, she is astonishingly filled with ease and reflects on her new independent life. Eventually, Mrs. Mallard encounters an overwhelming mishap that portrays striking irony at the end of the story. Ultimately, Chopin demonstrates the ingrained burdensomeness of marriage, as well as the strong forbidden happiness of gaining independence and freedom. Moreover, the irony in “The Story of an Hour” extremely surprises each reader and presents many hidden symbols that support these main themes. Mrs. Mallard feels constrained in her marriage and the oppressiveness weighs her down. Despite the fact that Brently was a kind and loving husband, she feels free of all this weight when she receives the news that her husband was killed in a train accident. Consequently, the reader begins to recognize that Mrs. Mallard most likely did not truly love her husband, even though it is not specifically stated. Critic Lawrence L. Berkove mentions, “ … the story’s omniscient narrator takes us into Louise’s mind. However, while the
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