What is the story of an hour by Kate Chopin about?
"The Story of an Hour" by American author Kate Chopin is a mainstay of feminist literary study. Originally published in in 1894, the story documents the complicated reaction of Louise Mallard upon learning of her husband's death.
Does the woman love her husband in the story of an hour?
She does indeed love her husband, but loves more the freedom she has been promised. In The Story of an Hour, it is shown that marriage is not always what it appears to be and that the journey to freedom can be dangerous. Chopin shows her readers that the love of only one partner in a marriage is not indicative of a mutual relationship.
What is the conclusion of the story The story of an hour?
What is the conclusion The Story of an Hour? After coming to terms with her husband’s death, Louise Mallard feels satisfied with such a tragic event. However, an hour later, Mr.Mallard returns home. The shock and the sudden realization that her liberation was no longer attainable were the final straw for her weak heart.
Who is Louise Mallard in the story of an hour?
Louise Mallard, a young married woman with a heart condition, is the protagonist in the short story The Story of an Hour. When was The Story of an Hour written? Kate Chopin wrote the short story on April 19, 1894.
How does Louise Mallard feel about her husband?
The author believed unexpected things happen often. In the case of this story, Louise Mallard believed her husband to be dead, having been told this by her sister, Josephine. However, when it is revealed that her husband had been alive the whole time, she is unhappy to see him and suffers a fatal heart attack.
What does Mrs. Mallard value?
What feeling does Mrs. Mallard realize she values most? The freedom to do what she wants.
What does Mrs. Mallard come to realize about her life without her husband?
Upon learning of her husband's death, Mrs. Mallard realizes that she is now free. She knows that from now on she can live for herself and no one else.
How did Mr Mallard treat Mrs. Mallard?
Mallard was nothing but nice to his wife, and never did anything to make her feel like his death would be a blessing. But for all that, Mrs. Mallard is miserable as his wife.
What kind of husband is Mr Mallard?
Louise Mallard's husband, who is incorrectly reported to have died in a train accident. When he returns home that day, he has no idea that anybody thinks he has died. Brently is a kind and loving husband to Louise, but despite that is an impediment to Louise's freedom simply through the institution of marriage.
What emotion does Louise feel toward her husband in The Story of an Hour?
There is an immediate sadness that descends upon Louise when she hears about her husband's death. This sadness is, in part, socially dictated. She is supposed to feel sad, supposed to mourn, and supposed to feel as if her life has come to an end.
Why does Mrs. Mallard think she will be free after her husband's death?
Mallard realized that she was better off happy and without her marriage by being free. She notices how she wants to have freedom throughout the rest of her life not needing a man. At the end of the story, Mrs. Mallard notices that her husband was coming back, she immediately inverted ly turned it into guilt.
What does Mrs. Mallard do when she hears that her husband has been killed?
The Story of an Hour- After she cries, what does Mrs. Mallard do? She goes alone to her room.
How does the news of her husband's death affect Mrs. Mallard?
How does the news of her husband's death affect Mrs. Mallard? She is at first overcome with grief, but soon she realizes that his death will allow her to lead an independent life. She pretends to mourn her husband, but she is privately happy to rid herself of the man whom she never loved.
Was Mrs. Mallard's husband abusive?
Critics have described Mr. Mallard as being abusive, and harmful to his wife. In the story Chopin writes, “ she will weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death...” (Chopin) This quote is an example that Mr.
What is the condition of Mrs. Mallard?
So, what kind of person is Mrs. Mallard? We know from the beginning that she is "afflicted with a heart trouble" (1). She's unwell, with a genteel condition, which means she can still act like and be treated like a lady.
What do you learn about Mrs. Mallard from the description of her face?
Mrs. Mallard is described as a young woman "with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength." What do you think Mrs. Mallard has repressed during her marriage?
What is the story of an hour?
Updated May 25, 2019. "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.
What do Richards and Josephine believe about Brently Mallard's death?
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 ...
What is Brently Mallard's appearance?
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."
How many words are in the Kate Chopin story?
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 .
What is Louise's growing awareness of?
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.
Who said there would be no one to live for her during those coming years?
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.
Does Louise think Brently's hand was tender?
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.
Why is the basic goodness of Louise and Brently's marriage important?
The basic goodness of Louise and Brently ’s marriage is crucial because it means that Louise ’s joy at her newfound freedom isn’t a critique of her marriage to Brently, but rather a critique of the entire institution of marriage.
What would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a
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. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination.
Was the story of an hour a good marriage?
However, “The Story of an Hour” makes it clear that Louise and Brently ’s marriage was perfectly loving or, at the very least, normal. After all, Louise ’s initial reaction ...
What is the story of an hour about?
A Minutes Look At The Story of An Hour. In The Story of an Hour, Kate Chopin describes what married life was like in Missouri in the late 1900s. Through veiled and not-so-veiled hints, the story insinuates that marriage is, in its nature, oppressing, and that the death of one person can be the freedom of another.
What does Josephine say when she sees her sister?
When her sister Josephine comes to the door, she says, “Open the door—you will make yourself ill” which could be an indicator that widows were expected to lose their health when their husbands died.
Is Louise a malicious character?
For all her faults, Louise is not portrayed as a malicious character. She admitted that she would cry at his funeral “when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death” and that “she had loved him—sometimes,” yet it is shown that she views his death not as a tragedy, but a miracle.
What is the story of an hour about?
The Story of an Hour Summary. The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin is a short story about a woman, Louise, who learns of the death of her husband, Brently. In a small window of time, you see her inevitable grief and new independence come to light. However, those new dreams of freedom are quickly dashed the moment her husband Brently comes ...
When was the story of an hour written?
The Story of an Hour was written in 1894. The timeframe of this writing played into the theme of identity and the role of women. During that timeframe, even well-off women like Louise had little choice over their lives. They had specific expectations to meet, and their lives were ruled over by their husbands. Advertisement.
What does Louise begin to revel in?
Louise begins to revel in what this new freedom can bring her and embrace it. When she leaves the room to go with her sister, she isn’t the shadow of the woman she entered the room as but renewed. However, all her hopes are dashed when her husband walks through the door.
What was the role of women in the early 1900s?
Role of Women. During the early 1900s, women like Louise were considered to be weak . This weakness is further exacerbated by Louise’s heart condition. But it also works to show you that during that time women should be passive, subservient and unexcitable.
Does Louise have any control over her life?
Though Louise is hinted at being a very intelligent woman, she had no control over her life and decisions because of the time period. If she were to get a job, she would make considerably less than men and only have specific positions available. Additionally, she was expected to complete specific duties at home like cooking and cleaning. Therefore, she has no real identity of her own. When she finds out Brently has died, the promise of becoming her own person and gaining her own identity fills her with joy.