The Story of an Hour

Analyzing “The Story of an Hour”

In “The Story of an Hour”, Kate Chopin creates a character that changes from “a woman afflicted with heart trouble” to “a goddess of Victory.” This short story is exceptionally different from other short stories. The author uses different literary techniques to convey the meaning of the story which is centered around a woman trapped in a unfulfilling marriage. Though her use of language, imagery, symbolism, irony, and descriptive details that Chopin illustrates the profound changes in Mrs. Mallard. She uses these elements to bring out the message of the poem, which is to live life to the fullest, and to make the story more enticing to a reader.

The plot takes place mainly in the mind of Mrs. Mallard, which makes it necessary for the reader to understand her personality and where thoughts are derived from. First, Mrs. Mallard is described as having “a heart trouble ( ).” Her heart condition is important because it explains why her sister took great care to break the news to her. She is also described as being “young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength ( ).” This is significant information in understanding why she grieves only momentarily. Mrs. Mallard's marriage did not allow her to express herself. She was never allowed to show her emotions, or to show or use her true strength, but instead had to repress them. She dreamed of doing things and traveling to places she had never seen, despite the fact that realistically she would never go because of the restraints in her marriage.

This story is full of irony. First it is ironic the way that Louise reacts to the news of the death of her husband, Brently Mallard. Before Louise's reaction is revealed, Chopin alludes to how the widow feels by describing the world according to her perception of it after the "horrible" news. Louise is said to "not hear the story as many women have heard the same ( )." Rather, she accepts it and goes to her room to be alone. At this point in the plot, the reader starts to see the world through Louise's eyes, a world full of new and pure life. In her room, Louise sinks into a comfortable chair and looks out her window. Immediately the image of tranquility in her reaction seems to strike an odd note. One reading this story should question the use of this word "comfortable" and why Louise is not beating the furniture instead because she has just lost her husband. Next, the newly widowed woman is looking out of the window and sees spring and all the new life it brings. The descriptions used at this point are as far away from death as possible: "The delicious breath of rain...the notes of a distant song...countless sparrows were twittering...patches of blue sky.... ( )" All these are beautiful images of life therefore leaving the reader is quite confused by this most unusual foreshadowing until Louise's reaction is explained. Although her reaction is completely unexpected, the reader quickly accepts it because of Louise's adequate explanation. She grows excited and begins to fantasize about living her life for herself. With this realization, she wishes that "life might be long," and she feels like a "goddess of Victory" as she walks down the stairs. This is an eerie foreshadowing for