The Story Of An Hour Kate Chopin POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT!

[carter1990]

As I was reading “The Story Of An Hour” by Kate Chopin I started put myself within the story to get a better understanding of the characters and the story. The story involves a woman named Mrs. Mallard. I later find out her name is Louise. I’m not sure exactly what year this story takes place but I know it takes place in the late 19th century or the early 20th century. During this time many women did not have the freedom to live their own lives as their lifestyles were often tied down to their husbands. After the first few lines of the story I was getting the impression that Mrs. Mallard was sad to see her husband died. “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister’s arms. When the storm of grief spent itself she went to her room alone.” As I read on I was starting to see that Mrs. Mallard was happy to see her husband had died. Not his death but the mere symbolism of her coming freedom as result of her breaking away from his chains. Now I do believe that Mr. Mallard was not a good husband but to say he was the cause of her imprisonment I don’t know if that is the right statement. As soon she heard of his death she locked herself in her room. Now if I was imprisoned and was suddenly set free the last thing I would do is put myself back into a prison. I personally think she is imprisoning herself even after my recognition of the type of marriage in that time period. “She said over and under her breath: “free, free, free!”. I do not believe Mr. Mallard was the only cause of her perceived imprisonment. I believe she was creating her own prison. From what I took in the story there were moments when she held love for Mr. Mallard. While she was sitting locked in a room she started to envision Mr. Mallard’s funeral. “she knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death”. Although I do think that Mr. Mallard was not the best person I still believe there was good in him. There is no person on this earth that is not only one sided. Every single person has good and bad traits. As much as I believe that women’s choices were severely limited in the late 19th century and early 20th century, it was her choice to stay with her husband. That is not to validate how Mr. Mallard treated Mrs. Mallard but I whole heartedly believe that Mrs. Mallard was creating her own prison evidenced by the locking of herself in a room even after his death. When Mr. Mallard shows up in the doorway Mrs. Mallard dies of shock; the realization that she will be forced back into imprisonment.

[Schonaye242]

This seems like a really moving and heart touching book filled with various themes that may be applicable to life. If I may ask you a question what is your favorite part of the book?