thesis statement story of an hour

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“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin: A Critical Analysis

“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, first published in 1894 in the St. Louis Life magazine, was later included in the 1895 collection “Vojageur” and in the 1895 edition of “Bayou Folk”.

Introduction: “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, first published in 1894 in the St. Louis Life magazine, was later included in the 1895 collection “Vojageur” and in the 1895 edition of “Bayou Folk”. This iconic short story features a unique narrative structure, where the protagonist, Louise Mallard, experiences a rollercoaster of emotions upon learning of her husband’s death in a railroad accident. The story showcases Chopin’s mastery of exploring themes of freedom, marriage, and the human psyche, all within a concise and gripping narrative that has captivated readers for over a century. Some key features of the story include its use of irony, symbolism, and a focus on the inner experiences of the protagonist, making it a landmark of American literary modernism.

Main Events in “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

Table of Contents

• Mrs. Mallard Learns of Her Husband’s Death : Mrs. Mallard, afflicted with a heart condition, is gently informed of her husband’s death in a train accident by her sister Josephine and their friend Richards.
• Initial Grief and Solitude : Mrs. Mallard weeps in her sister’s arms and then withdraws to her room alone, overwhelmed by grief.
• Contemplation by the Window : Sitting alone in her room, Mrs. Mallard gazes out the window, observing signs of new life and feeling a sense of physical and emotional exhaustion.
• A Subtle Awakening : Mrs. Mallard begins to feel a subtle and elusive sense of freedom creeping over her, whispering “free, free, free!” as she starts to recognize a new sensation within herself.
• Embracing Freedom : As Mrs. Mallard acknowledges the prospect of freedom from her husband’s will and societal expectations, she feels a rush of joy and welcomes the years ahead for herself.
• Recognition of Self-Assertion : Mrs. Mallard reflects on the strength of her own desires for autonomy and self-assertion, realizing that it surpasses the complexities of love and relationships.
• Resistance and Revelation : Despite her sister’s pleas, Mrs. Mallard resists leaving her newfound sense of liberation, reveling in the elixir of life streaming through her open window.
• Vision of the Future : Mrs. Mallard’s imagination runs wild with possibilities for her future, filled with dreams of spring and summer days that will be entirely her own.
• Triumphant Reveal : Mrs. Mallard emerges from her room, exuding a feverish triumph, and descends the stairs with her sister, unaware of what awaits her.
• Shocking Revelation and Tragic End : The story takes a dramatic turn as Mrs. Mallard’s husband, Brently Mallard, returns home unharmed, unaware of the news of his death. The shock of his appearance leads to Mrs. Mallard’s sudden death, attributed by doctors to “the joy that kills.”

Literary Devices in “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

Characterization in “the story of an hour” by kate chopin.

• Afflicted with a heart condition, which influences her physical and emotional state throughout the story.
• Initially portrayed as experiencing grief and sorrow over her husband’s death but undergoes a transformation as she contemplates the prospect of freedom.
• Symbolizes themes of repression, liberation, and the complexities of marriage and societal expectations.
• Acts as a supportive figure to Mrs. Mallard, informing her of her husband’s death and attempting to comfort her.
• Represents familial bonds and the role of women in supporting each other in times of crisis.
• Present when the news of Brently Mallard’s death is revealed to Mrs. Mallard.
• His actions highlight the societal norms of male friendship and the expectation of delivering difficult news to women.
• Appears briefly at the end of the story, shocking Mrs. Mallard and ultimately leading to her death.
• Serves as a catalyst for Mrs. Mallard’s emotional journey and the revelation of her desire for freedom.
• Represents the constraints of traditional marriage and the loss of individual identity within such relationships.

Major Themes in “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

• Freedom and Liberation : The story explores the theme of freedom through Mrs. Mallard’s reaction to her husband’s death. Initially grieving, she experiences a profound sense of liberation and anticipates a future free from the constraints of marriage and societal expectations.
• Repression and Identity : Mrs. Mallard’s emotional journey highlights the repression of her true feelings within her marriage and society. Her brief moment of freedom allows her to glimpse her own desires and identity apart from her role as a wife.
• Irony and Unexpected Twists : Chopin employs irony and unexpected twists to challenge conventional narrative expectations. The revelation of Brently Mallard’s survival and Mrs. Mallard’s subsequent death subverts the reader’s assumptions and underscores the complexities of human emotion and experience.
• Death and Joy : The story juxtaposes themes of death and joy, suggesting that liberation and self-realization can emerge from unexpected or even tragic circumstances. Mrs. Mallard’s death, attributed to “the joy that kills,” underscores the paradoxical nature of human emotions and the complexities of inner lives.

Writing Style in “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

• Descriptive Imagery : Chopin employs vivid and sensory language to create imagery that immerses the reader in the setting and emotions of the story. Descriptions of the springtime scene outside Mrs. Mallard’s window, such as “aquiver with the new spring life,” evoke a sense of renewal and vitality.
• Stream-of-Consciousness : The story delves into Mrs. Mallard’s thoughts and feelings, often in a stream-of-consciousness style. This technique allows readers to experience her internal turmoil and the rapid shifts in her emotions as she grapples with the news of her husband’s death and the prospect of freedom.
• Symbolism : Chopin utilizes symbolism to convey deeper themes and meanings throughout the narrative. For example, the open window symbolizes the possibility of escape and liberation, while Mrs. Mallard’s physical and emotional confinement within her home reflects the constraints of her marriage and societal expectations.
• Irony and Subtext : The story is marked by irony and subtle subtext, particularly in its exploration of Mrs. Mallard’s reaction to her husband’s death. While her initial response appears to be one of grief, it gradually becomes clear that she is experiencing a sense of liberation and joy at the prospect of newfound freedom.
• Economy of Language : Chopin’s writing in “The Story of an Hour” is characterized by its economy of language, with each word carefully chosen to maximize impact. This concise style contributes to the story’s intensity and emotional resonance, allowing readers to experience the protagonist’s inner journey with clarity and immediacy.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

Feminist Theory :

• Interpretation: Louise’s struggle for autonomy and independence
• Example: “There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself.”
• Explanation: Louise’s desire for self-assertion and freedom from patriarchal oppression is a central theme. She rejects the societal expectations of women and seeks to live for herself, symbolizing her autonomy and independence.

Psychoanalytic Theory:

• Interpretation: Louise’s repressed emotions and inner conflict
• Example: “She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will—”
• Explanation: Louise’s inner turmoil and emotional struggle with her husband’s death reveal her repressed desires and inner conflict. Her feelings of freedom and joy are juxtaposed with her guilt and grief, highlighting her complex psyche.

Symbolic Theory:

• Interpretation: Symbols of freedom and oppression
• Example: “The open window and blue sky”
• Explanation: The open window and blue sky symbolize freedom, hope, and new life, while the closed door and darkness symbolize oppression and confinement. The window and sky represent Louise’s desire for escape and freedom, while the door and darkness represent her trapped and oppressive life.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

Short questions/answers about/on “the story of an hour” by kate chopin.

• What is the significance of the title “The Story of an Hour” and how does it relate to the story’s themes? The title “The Story of an Hour” refers to the brief period of time during which the protagonist, Louise Mallard, experiences a sense of freedom and liberation after hearing of her husband’s death. This hour represents a turning point in her life, as she momentarily breaks free from the societal expectations and constraints that have defined her marriage. The title highlights the story’s exploration of freedom, individuality, and the oppressive nature of societal norms.
• How does Kate Chopin use symbolism in “The Story of an Hour” to convey the protagonist’s emotional journey and the themes of the story? Kate Chopin employs symbolism throughout the story to convey Louise’s emotional journey and the themes of freedom, individuality, and oppression. The open window, for instance, symbolizes Louise’s newfound freedom and her desire to break free from the constraints of her marriage. The “blue and far” sky represents the limitless possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. The “new spring of life” and the “delicious breath of rain” symbolize renewal and rejuvenation, reflecting Louise’s growing sense of hope and liberation.
• What role does irony play in “The Story of an Hour,” and how does it contribute to the story’s themes and character development? Irony plays a significant role in “The Story of an Hour,” as it underscores the contradictions and tensions that exist between societal expectations and individual desires. The story’s use of dramatic irony, where the reader is aware of Louise’s inner thoughts and feelings, while the other characters are not, highlights the disconnect between her public and private selves. The situational irony, where Louise’s husband returns alive, subverts the reader’s expectations and underscores the oppressive nature of societal norms, which deny women their individuality and freedom.
• How does “The Story of an Hour” reflect the social and cultural context in which it was written, and what commentary does it offer on the status of women during this time period? “The Story of an Hour” reflects the social and cultural context of the late 19th century, a time when women’s rights and freedoms were severely limited. The story critiques the patriarchal society and the institution of marriage, which often trapped women in loveless and oppressive relationships. Through Louise’s character, Chopin highlights the suffocating nature of societal expectations and the longing for individuality and freedom that many women experienced during this time period. The story’s exploration of these themes offers a commentary on the status of women and the need for greater autonomy and self-expression.

Literary Works Similar to “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

• “ The Yellow Wallpaper ” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman : This story explores themes of female oppression and mental health as a woman confined to a room by her husband begins to unravel psychologically.
• “ A Jury of Her Peers ” by Susan Glaspell : Based on Glaspell’s play “Trifles,” this story delves into gender roles and justice as women uncover crucial evidence while accompanying their husbands on a murder investigation.
• “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin : Another work by Chopin, this novella examines the constraints of marriage and societal expectations as a woman seeks independence and self-discovery in late 19th-century Louisiana.
• “ The Chrysanthemums ” by John Steinbeck : Set in the Salinas Valley during the Great Depression, this story follows a woman’s encounter with a traveling tinkerer, exploring themes of isolation, longing, and gender roles.
• “The Story of a Dead Man” by Ambrose Bierce : Bierce’s story, similar to “The Story of an Hour,” explores themes of freedom and liberation as a man seemingly returns from the dead, causing his widow to contemplate her newfound independence.

Suggested Readings about/on “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

Books on kate chopin and “the story of an hour”:.

• Bonner, Thomas Jr. The Kate Chopin Companion . Greenwood, 1988.
• Ewell, Barbara C. Kate Chopin . Ungar, 1986.
• Papke, Mary E. Verging on the Abyss: The Social Fiction of Kate Chopin and Edith Wharton . Greenwood, 1990.
• Seyersted, Per. Kate Chopin: A Critical Biography . Louisiana State UP, 1969.
• Skaggs, Peggy. Kate Chopin . Twayne, 1985.

Articles on “The Story of an Hour”:

• Mitchell, Angelyn. “Feminine Double Consciousness in Kate Chopin’s ‘The Story of an Hour.'” CEAMagazine 5.1 (1992): 59-64.
• Miner, Madonne M. “Veiled Hints: An Affective Stylist’s Reading of Kate Chopin’s ‘Story of an Hour.'” Markham Review 11 (1982): 29-32.

Web Resource:

• The Kate Chopin International Society offers a wealth of information on Chopin and “The Story of an Hour,” including the full text of the story and critical essays: Kate Chopin International Society: https://www.katechopin.org/story-hour/

Representative Quotations from “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

Related posts:.

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The Story Of An Hour - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Writing essays about “The Story of an Hour” is a fascinating way to look at the themes of women’s lives, freedom, and what society expects of them. With examples of essays on “The Story of an Hour,” readers can learn how to analyze the short story by Kate Chopin and its prompts. As Mrs. Mallard is the main character, the essay can focus on her questions of self-discovery and her complicated feelings when she hears that her husband has died. The feminist issues in essay examples on The Story Of An Hour can be viewed from different points of view in free persuasive essays about the book. These essays can also examine society’s limits on women during that time. The Story of an Hour essay topics can be about marriage, the independence of women, or the role that society plays in shaping women’s lives. Researching free argumentative essays about The Story Of An Hour allows you to learn more about the author’s goals and historical setting. To guide the essay’s case and make a good outline, it’s essential to write a clear topic sentence and thesis statement. In the essay introduction, summarize the story, state your thesis, and list the essential points you’ll discuss. The conclusion should summarize the main points, consider how the story affected the reader, and end with a statement that makes them think. By writing The Story Of An Hour research paper, readers can explore the story’s deep themes, look at society’s standards for women, and learn more about how Kate Chopin explores female independence and personal freedom.

The Story of an Hour Literary Analysis

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How To Write an Essay About The Story Of An Hour

Understanding 'the story of an hour'.

Before beginning your essay on Kate Chopin's 'The Story of an Hour,' it is essential to thoroughly understand the short story. Published in 1894, this narrative explores the themes of freedom, identity, and the constraints of marriage in the life of its protagonist, Louise Mallard. Start by analyzing the plot – the news of Mr. Mallard’s death and the subsequent revelation of his survival, which shockingly leads to Louise's death. Understand the historical and cultural context of the late 19th century, focusing on the role of women in society and marriage during this period. Familiarizing yourself with these aspects will provide a solid foundation for your essay.

Developing a Thesis Statement

A compelling essay on 'The Story of an Hour' should be centered around a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about the story. For example, you might analyze the concept of freedom and its complex portrayal in the story, or discuss the irony and symbolism used by Chopin. Your thesis will guide the structure and content of your essay and provide a clear path for your analysis.

Gathering Textual Evidence

To support your thesis, gather evidence from the text. This involves closely reading the story to find relevant quotes, descriptions, and instances that align with your thesis. For instance, if exploring the theme of freedom, identify passages that reflect Louise’s feelings and thoughts about her newfound independence. Use these examples to build your argument and give depth to your analysis.

Analyzing Chopin's Techniques and Themes

In your essay, analyze how Chopin uses literary techniques to develop themes and characters. Discuss her use of imagery, symbolism (like the open window), and the story’s structure. For example, explore how the brief time span of the narrative enhances the intensity of Louise's experience. This analysis should demonstrate a deep understanding of the text and how Chopin communicates her ideas.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis in light of the discussion. Your conclusion should tie together your insights into 'The Story of an Hour,' emphasizing the significance of your findings. Reflect on the broader implications of the story, such as its relevance to modern discussions on gender roles and marital expectations.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After completing your essay, review and refine it. Ensure that your arguments are coherent, your evidence is clearly presented, and your writing is free of grammatical errors. Consider seeking feedback from teachers or peers to help improve your essay. A well-crafted essay on 'The Story of an Hour' will not only demonstrate your understanding of the story but also your ability to engage critically with literary texts.

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The Story of an Hour Critical Analysis Essay

Looking for a critical analysis of The Story of an Hour ? The essay on this page contains a summary of Kate Chopin’s short story, its interpretation, and feminist criticism. Find below The Story of an Hour critique together with the analysis of its characters, themes, symbolism, and irony.

Introduction

Works cited.

The Story of an Hour was written by Kate Chopin in 1984. It describes a woman, Mrs. Mallard, who lost her husband in an accident, but later the truth came out, and the husband was alive. This essay will discuss The Story of an Hour with emphasis on the plot and development of the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, who goes through contrasting emotions and feelings that finally kill her on meeting her husband at the door, yet he had been said to be dead.

The Story of an Hour Summary

Kate Chopin narrated the story of a woman named Mrs. Mallard who had a heart health problem. One day the husband was mistaken to have died in an accident that occurred. Due to her heart condition, her sister had to take care while breaking the bad news to her. She was afraid that such news of her husband’s death would cost her a heart attack. She strategized on how to break the news to her sister bit by bit, which worked perfectly well. Mrs. Mallard did not react as expected; instead, she started weeping just once.

She did not hear the story as many women have had the same with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. She wept once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister’s arms (Woodlief 2).

Mrs. Mallard wondered how she would survive without a husband. She went to one room and locked herself alone to ponder what the death of her husband brought to her life. She was sorrowful that her husband had died, like it is human to be sad at such times. This is someone very close to her, but only in a short span of time was no more. This sudden death shocked her. Her sister Josephine and friends Mr. Richard and Louise are also sorry for the loss (Taibah 1).

As she was in that room alone, she thought genuinely about the future. Unexpectedly, she meditated on her life without her husband. Apart from sorrow, she started counting the better part of her life without her husband. She saw many opportunities and freedom to do what she wanted with her life. She believed that the coming years would be perfect for her as she only had herself to worry about. She even prayed that life would be long.

After some time, she opened the door for Josephine, her sister, who had a joyous face. They went down the stairs of the house, and Mr. Mallard appeared as he opened the gate. Mr. Mallard had not been involved in the accident and could not understand why Josephine was crying. At the sight of her husband, Mr. Mallard, his wife, Mrs. Mallard, collapsed to death. The doctors said that she died because of heart disease.

The Story of an Hour Analysis

Mrs. Mallard was known to have a heart problem. Richard, who is Mr. Mallard’s friend, was the one who learned of Mr. Mallard’s death while in the office and about the railroad accident that killed him. They are with Josephine, Mrs. Mallard’s sister, as she breaks the news concerning the sudden death of her husband. The imagery clearly describes the situation.

The writer brought out the suspense in the way he described how the news was to be broken to a person with a heart problem. There is a conflict that then follows in Mrs. Mallard’s response which becomes more complicated. The death saddens Mrs. Mallard, but, on the other hand, she counts beyond the bitter moments and sees freedom laid down for her for the rest of her life. The description of the room and the environment symbolize a desire for freedom.

This story mostly focuses on this woman and a marriage institution. Sad and happy moments alternate in the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard. She is initially sad about the loss of her husband, then in a moment, ponders on the effects of his death and regains strength.

Within a short period, she is shocked by the sight of her husband being alive and even goes to the extreme of destroying her life. She then dies of a heart attack, whereas she was supposed to be happy to see her husband alive. This is an excellent contrast of events, but it makes the story very interesting.

She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below, a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song that someone was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves. There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds that had met and piled one above the other in the west facing her window (Woodlief 1).

Therefore, an open window is symbolic. It represents new opportunities and possibilities that she now had in her hands without anyone to stop her, and she refers to it as a new spring of life.

She knew that she was not in a position to bring her husband back to life.

Her feelings were mixed up. Deep inside her, she felt that she had been freed from living for another person.

She did not stop to ask if it were or were not a monstrous joy that held her… She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death, the face that had never looked save with love upon her, fixed and gray and dead (Sparknotes 1).

The author captured a marriage institution that was dominated by a man. This man, Mr. Mallard, did not treat his wife as she would like (the wife) at all times, only sometimes. This Cleary showed that she was peaceful even if her husband was dead. Only some sorrow because of the loss of his life but not of living without him. It seemed that she never felt the love for her husband.

And yet she had loved him sometimes. Often she had not. What did it matter! What could love the unsolved mystery, count for in the face of this procession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being! (Woodlief 1).

How could a wife be peaceful at the death of her husband? Though people thought that she treasured her husband, Mr. Mallard, so much and was afraid that she would be stressed, she did not see much of the bitterness like she found her freedom. This reveals how women are oppressed in silence but never exposed due to other factors such as wealth, money, and probably outfits.

As much as wealth is essential, the characters Mr. and Mrs. Mallard despise the inner being. Their hearts were crying amid a physical smile: “Free! Body and soul free!”…Go away. I am not making myself ill.” No; she was drinking in a very elixir of life through that open window” (Woodlief 1).

In this excerpt, Mrs. Mallard knows what she is doing and believes that she is not harming herself. Instead, she knew that though the husband was important to her, marriage had made her a subject to him. This was not in a positive manner but was against her will. It seems she had done many things against her will, against herself, but to please her husband.

Mrs. Mallard’s character is therefore developed throughout this story in a short time and reveals many values that made her what she was. She is a woman with a big desire for freedom that was deprived by a man in marriage. She is very emotional because after seeing her freedom denied for the second time by her husband, who was mistaken to have died, she collapses and dies. The contrast is when the writer says, “She had died of heart disease…of the joy that kills” (Woodlief 1).

Mrs. Mallard was not able to handle the swings in her emotions, and this cost her life. Mr. Mallard was left probably mourning for his wife, whom he never treasured. He took her for granted and had to face the consequences. Oppressing a wife or another person causes a more significant loss to the oppressor. It is quite ironic that Mr. Mallard never knew that his presence killed his wife.

Sparknotes. The Story of an Hour. Sparknotes, 2011. Web.

Taibah. The Story of an Hour. Taibah English Forum, 2011. Web.

Woodlief. The story of an hour . VCU, 2011. Web.

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The Story of an Hour: a Critical Analysis

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The suppression of mrs. mallard, symbolism and foreshadowing, the irony of the conclusion.

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Home › Literature › Analysis of Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour

Analysis of Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on July 28, 2021

Originally entitled “The Dream of an Hour” when it was first published in Vogue (December 1894), “The Story of an Hour” has since become one of Kate Chopin’s most frequently anthologized stories. Among her shortest and most daring works, “Story” examines issues of feminism, namely, a woman’s dissatisfaction in a conventional marriage and her desire for independence. It also features Chopin’s characteristic irony and ambiguity .

The story begins with Louise Mallard’s being told about her husband’s presumed death in a train accident. Louise initially weeps with wild abandon, then retires alone to her upstairs bedroom. As she sits facing the open window, observing the new spring life outside, she realizes with a “clear and exalted perception” that she is now free of her husband’s “powerful will bending hers” (353). She becomes delirious with the prospect that she can now live for herself and prays that her life may be long. Her newfound independence is short-lived, however. In a surprise ending, her husband walks through the front door, and Louise suffers a heart attack and dies. Her death may be considered a tragic defeat or a pyrrhic victory for a woman who would rather die than lose that “possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being” (353). The doctors ironically attribute her death to the “joy that kills” (354).

BIBLIOGRAPHY Chopin, Kate. The Complete Works of Kate Chopin. Edited by Per Seyersted. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1969. Koloski, Bernard. Kate Chopin: A Study of the Short Fiction. New York: Twayne, 1996. Seyersted, Per. Kate Chopin: A Critical Biography. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1969. Toth, Emily. Kate Chopin. New York: Morrow, 1990

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Analysis of "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin

Self-Determination and Louise Mallard Living for Herself

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"The Story of an Hour" by American author Kate Chopin is a mainstay of feminist literary study . Originally published in 1894, the story documents the complicated reaction of Louise Mallard upon learning of her husband's death.

It is difficult to discuss "The Story of an Hour" without addressing the ironic ending. If you haven't read the story yet, you might as well, as it's only about 1,000 words. The Kate Chopin International Society is kind enough to provide a free, accurate version . If you're intrigued by the work, keep reading for an analysis of "The Story of an Hour".

At the Beginning, News That Will Devastate Louise

At the beginning of the story, Richards and Josephine believe they must break the news of Brently Mallard's death to Louise Mallard as gently as possible. Josephine informs her "in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half concealing." Their assumption, not an unreasonable one, is that this unthinkable news will be devastating to Louise and will threaten her weak heart.

A Growing Awareness of Freedom

Yet something even more unthinkable lurks in this story: Louise's growing awareness of the freedom she will have without Brently.

At first, she doesn't consciously allow herself to think about this freedom. The knowledge reaches her wordlessly and symbolically , via the "open window" through which she sees the "open square" in front of her house. The repetition of the word "open" emphasizes possibility and a lack of restrictions.

Patches of Blue Sky Amid the Clouds

The scene is full of energy and hope. The trees are "all aquiver with the new spring of life," the "delicious breath of rain" is in the air, sparrows are twittering, and Louise can hear someone singing a song in the distance. She can see "patches of blue sky" amid the clouds.

She observes these patches of blue sky without registering what they might mean. Describing Louise's gaze, Chopin writes, "It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought." If she had been thinking intelligently, social norms might have prevented her from such a heretical recognition. Instead, the world offers her "veiled hints" that she slowly pieces together without even realizing she is doing so.

A Force Is Too Powerful to Oppose

In fact, Louise resists the impending awareness, regarding it "fearfully." As she begins to realize what it is, she strives "to beat it back with her will." Yet its force is too powerful to oppose.

This story can be uncomfortable to read because, on the surface, Louise seems to be glad that her husband has died. But that isn't quite accurate. She thinks of Brently's "kind, tender hands" and "the face that had never looked save with love upon her," and she recognizes that she has not finished weeping for him.

Her Desire for Self-Determination

But his death has made her see something she hasn't seen before and might likely never have seen if he had lived: her desire for self-determination .

Once she allows herself to recognize her approaching freedom, she utters the word "free" over and over again, relishing it. Her fear and her uncomprehending stare are replaced by acceptance and excitement. She looks forward to "years to come that would belong to her absolutely."

She Would Live for Herself

In one of the most important passages of the story, Chopin describes Louise's vision of self-determination. It's not so much about getting rid of her husband as it is about being entirely in charge of her own life, "body and soul." Chopin writes:

"There would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a will upon a fellow-creature."

Note the phrase men and women. Louise never catalogs any specific offenses Brently has committed against her; rather, the implication seems to be that marriage can be stifling for both parties.

The Irony of Joy That Kills

When Brently Mallard enters the house alive and well in the final scene, his appearance is utterly ordinary. He is "a little travel-stained, composedly carrying his grip-sack and umbrella." His mundane appearance contrasts greatly with Louise's "feverish triumph" and her walking down the stairs like a "goddess of Victory."

When the doctors determine that Louise "died of heart disease -- of joy that kills," the reader immediately recognizes the irony . It seems clear that her shock was not joy over her husband's survival, but rather distress over losing her cherished, newfound freedom. Louise did briefly experience joy -- the joy of imagining herself in control of her own life. And it was the removal of that intense joy that led to her death.

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