Story of an Hour
Themes
The Forbidden Joy of
Independence
In “The Story of an
Hour,” independence is a forbidden pleasure that can be imagined only
privately. When Louise hears from Josephine and Richards of Brently’s death,
she reacts with obvious grief, and although her reaction is perhaps more
violent than other women’s, it is an appropriate one
The Inherent
Oppressiveness of Marriage
Chopin suggests that
all marriages, even the kindest ones, are inherently oppressive. Louise, who
readily admits that her husband was kind and loving, nonetheless feels joy when
she believes that he has died.
Motifs
Weeping
Louise’s weeping about
Brently’s death highlight the dichotomy between sorrow and happiness.
Symbols
Heart Trouble
The heart trouble that
afflicts Louise is both a physical and symbolic malady that represents her
ambivalence toward her marriage and unhappiness with her lack of freedom. The
fact that Louise has heart trouble is the first thing we learn about her, and
this heart trouble is what seems to make the announcement of Brently’s death so
threatening.
The Open Window
The open window from
which Louise gazes for much of the story represents the freedom and
opportunities that await her after her husband has died. From the window,
Louise sees blue sky, fluffy clouds, and treetops.
The Story of an Hour Symbolism,
Imagery & Allegory
The Story of an Hour Setting
One
Hour at the Mallards' Home
The Story of an Hour Narrator:
Third
Person (Omniscient)
The use of an omniscient third-person narrator enables
Chopin to tell a complete story that's not limited to the protagonist's point
of view. This is key because the opening of the story begins with us readers
knowing something Mrs. Mallard doesn't, and because the story ends after Mrs.
Mallard has already died…
The Story of an Hour Tone
Subtle
yet Cruel
The narrator's description of Mrs. Mallard shows someone who
brushes off the notions of love and even the best of marriages for the glorious
idea of pure freedom. Meanwhile, the people around her think she's crying her
eyes out over her dead husband. Really, though, she's relieved to be free. No
one understands her. At the end of the story, the doctors agree that she must
have passed away from a sudden shock of extreme happiness from finding out that
her husband lived after all: from "joy that kills"
The Story of an Hour Writing Style
Ironic,
Withholding
The story's very structure is built on ironic
juxtapositions. The elements that will later destroy Mrs. Mallard can all be
found in the very first paragraph:
Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart
trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of
her husband's death. (1)
What’s Up With the Ending?
When the doctors came they said she had died of heart
disease – of joy that kills
The Story of an Hour Plot Analysis
Initial
Situation
Mrs. Mallard has a weak heart.
Conflict
Mr. Mallard dies and Mrs. Mallard's friends have to break the news
to her gently.
Complication
Mrs. Mallard mourns and tries to deal with her unusual feelings.
Climax
Mrs. Mallard declares that she is free.
Suspense
Mrs. Mallard comes out of her room, meets her sister, and starts
to go down the stairs.
Denouement
Mr. Mallard walks in, far from dead, shocking everyone.
Conclusion
Doctors say Mrs. Mallard died of joy.
The obvious IRONY of her dying of a broken heart not because
he is alive and she's happy, but because her new dreamed of freedom is taken
away from her.
The SYMBOLISM of the window in her room which is like a cage
allowing her to see the blue sky of her new future. Also the clouds she sees
represent the trouble in her current marriage.
