This is the analysis of ‘The Story of an Hour’ by Kate Chopin. The touch of feminism is quite obvious in the story. The title of the story refers to the series of events that took place when Mrs. Mallard came to know about her husband’s death to the moment she realized that her husband was alive. The larger significance of the story could be associated with the psychology of human beings when they encounter certain things like the death of someone closely related to them.
The character of the wife keeps on changing. She was a happy married woman at the start. When she comes to know about her husband’s tragic death she goes into a state of grief. The significant aspect is that she grieved in a wild abandoned manner. “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister’s arms”(Chopin, 6). The philosophy that could be observed through the situation of the Character “Mrs. Mallard” is the change in herself, in the beginning, she is in a state of grief but with the passage of time, she gets to feel that now she is free and cannot be repressed by the marriage further like other women. “She said it over and over under her breath: “Free, free, free!” (Chopin, 7). She responds to her sister after some time and discovers that her husband is alive which results in her death. The significant point here is the growth and disappointment Ms. Mallard went through in such a short time. In the story, Mrs. Mallard feels like an old age woman who is suffering from psychological issues. This was an interesting aspect that she is described as a young woman but her repressed lines depicted her as an old age woman.
The narrative of repression is backed up by Kate Chopin when she gives us the source of Mrs. Mallard’s joy. “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 private will upon a fellow-creature”(Chopin 7). It seems like Kate Chopin depicted a social situation when a woman becomes a prisoner of her man. It is commonly known that marriages are not always about love, especially at that time when women feel dominated by men. Sometimes, Marriage is much about financial relief, communal position, and acceptance. The description portrays that the wife is trapped in the marriage. She does love her husband but marriage is not necessary for love. The questionable point here is this: Is her heart’s condition physical, psychological, or emotional?
The story has four characters husband Brently Mallard, wife Louise, wife’s sister Josephine, and husband’s friend Richards. Various symbolic factors were used in the story like heart trouble, blue sky, and an open window. The Open Window represents freedom. The major symbols used are doors. The door of the bedroom represents the mind and soul of the wife. Secondly, the open window represents the upcoming years and freedom and lastly, the front door depicts the world of the public. The major themes are the ‘Joy of Independence’ and the ‘Oppressiveness of Marriage.’
In conclusion, Chopin has given descriptions and insight into the character of Louise. The “Story of an Hour” focuses on the idea that women are exploited in marriages. Husbands hold the authority and impose it on their wives. The wives ultimately have no other choice but to bow down to the husbands’ wishes. Even if the husband is a gentleman a woman still doesn’t enjoy a sense of freedom or independence. Thus, this is bringing unhealthy stability between marriage and society.
Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. The story of an hour. Jimcin Recordings, 1981.