Teshome 1

Selamawit Teshome

Pro. Sofia OBrien

Eng. 101

12/14/2017

The story of an hour

"The Story of an Hour, is a short story written by Kate Chopin on April 19, 1894. "The

Story of an Hour" was controversial by American standards of the 1890s because it features a

female protagonist who feels liberated by the news of her husband's death. The story of an hour

refers to the time elapsed between the moments at which the protagonist. The Story of an

Hour. Louise Mallard, who suffered from heart problem by the time she heard that her husband

is apparently dead, then she discover he is alive after all. Mrs. Mallard is taking time to properly

think and analyze the news, scan through the memories of her past such as, her marriage, the

good and bad moments, and the physiological and emotional trouble inflicted by her husband's

abusive behavior.

Mrs. Mallards sister Josephine and her husbands friend Richard was there to announce that

her husband Brantley has died. Louise cried dramatically and she feels elated at her newfound

independence. From the moment Mrs. Mallard heard the news about her husbands death to the

moment he suddenly returns alive she was full of wild thoughts. At first, she doesnt

intentionally allow herself to enjoy or to think about the freedom However, MS mallard was

seemed to be glad that her husband has died and partially celebrating her independence for few

minutes, and again we see her going back to mourning. She expressed her freedom by mumbling

free repeatedly and cherish her independence over and over again. We also see Mrs. Mallard

using the word open many times to indicate her freedom.

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For MS mallard death characterizes independence. Her husbands supposed death releases her

from her unfortunate marriage and gives her a new hope for a better life. She looks forward to

years to come that would belong to her absolutely. it was not only about her eliminating her

husband out of her life, for her it was also more about fully being in charge of her own life body

and soul.

The physiological and emotional trouble inflicted by her husband's abusive behavior. Mrs.

Mallard finally broke out of her egg shell declaring the freedom she has been waiting for, to live

in a world where she exercises her will and interest. "Free! Body and soul free!" (Chopin 1).

Louise is whispering welcomes her future with an open embrace. She is completely

overwhelmed but strong enough to be true to her feelings.

To summarize, Mrs. Mallard is completely broken by the death of her husband and while

simultaneously feeling relived of the oppression that she has suffered Into this she sank, pressed

down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul.

(Chopin 1). Mallard is not quite sure how she should process the news she hears and how to

react. It seems like Mrs. Mallard has been troubled physically and emotionally in the past.

Because, Louise does not know how this will impact her life going forward, she just wanted to

grasp the moment. It is a sign of relief and at the same time of emptiness. Now her bosom rose

and fell tumultuously. (Chopin 1). Louise loved her late husband and lived a life in submission

to his will. She realizes that it is a time to be herself, to listen to herself, to do things she loves

without anyone dictating her choice, and her interest. She is looking into her future hope and

peace.

In contrast, Her freedom vanished when she found out her husbands assumed death wasnt

real .When the doctors determines that she died of heart disease-of joy that kills (Chopin 1).
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the irony reveals, it is clear that her surprise was not joy over her husband being alive, it was

sorrow over losing her few minutes of appreciation of her freedom and hope of getting back her

control over her life. New found of freedom, she temporarily experienced pleasure, pleasure of

being independent which she lasts in a short period of time that leads her to death.

Work Cited

Chopian, Kate. The Story of an Hour. SparkNotes, SparkNotes, 19 Apr. 1894,

www.sparknotes.com/short-stories/the-story-of-an-hour/.

The Story of an Hour. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Dec. 2017,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_an_Hour.