...Name Course- Instructor Date Interpretive Plot Analysis Of The story Of An Hour Introduction The trajectory of “The story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin is seemingly deluding when the reader goes through the story superficially and not tries to get a grip over the plot line. Mrs. Mallard is vexed by a weak heart and therefore any bad news should be broken in gentle manner to her. When her sister Josephine tells her about the news of his husband perishing in a train accident, then instead of struggling against the truth, she succumbs to the flow of events easily and cries her eyes out and then in a subtle manner, shifts into a bout of joyous mood where a sense of freedom is instilled inside her being. The last sentence which describes the cause of Mrs. Mallard’s death to be excessive joy is actually due to the shock of realization that she no longer is free or rather she never was eligible to embrace freedom. This story emphasizes upon the reality of the era in which the story was set where women were given very few rights and where marriage used to be oppressive institution. Also, the events mirror the true innate feelings of Mrs. Mallard which is contrasting to the notion that she loves being married.( Literature (Fiction)( Google.co.in) Topic 1- Conflict 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. ...
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...the final and pivotal line in Kate Chopin’s “Story of an Hour” written in 1894. The story tells a tale of a woman named Louise realizing her husband had died in a railroad accident. She goes to her room only to find a new found freedom she now has without her husband. “She began to weep again and then she was young, she was new, she was somehow reborn” (Fatima). This freedom is crushed when she finally emerges to see her husband alive. The sight kills her where she stood. “When she sees him she dies instantly … she has to continue living a depressing life that has no meaning or excitement included” (Fatima). I am going to show how through the use of such literary devices as irony and connotation Chopin added a depth to the story that moves the reader. The story has one of the best examples of irony you can find. The very last line of the story states that Louise had died of heart disease—of joy that kills. The tragic irony is that it was both joy and sadness that killed her. She dies from the sadness of knowing the joy see realized through looking out her window has been crushed. This joy of freedom and independence is what killed her. Without filling herself with this joy she would not have anything to be destroyed when she realized her husband was alive. So the joy killed her because without it there would be no shock when her husband returned, yet the sadness of loosing this joy caused her death just as well. There was even more literary devises at work in this short...
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...In “The Story of an Hour” published in Vogue in 1894 author Kate Chopin wrote about a woman named Mrs. Mallard who is given bad news that her husband has been killed in a railroad disaster. In a second story by Kate Chopin “The Storm” published in Louisiana State University, in 1969 Chopin writes about a woman named ‘Calixte’ who had an affair on her husband with a past lover during a storm. The last story by Kate Chopin “Desiree Baby’s” is about an orphan who got married and had a baby by a well-known and respected man whose attitude towards her changed due to the skin color of their son. These three stories have many similarities and differences in the type of male dominated oppression and relieve each woman felt in their marriage. For instance,...
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...free time with socializing, instead of taking care of family related things. In the lights of these circumstances, the feminist approach has revealed itself in literature. One of the good examples of feminist literature is Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour”, which exposes the lack of freedom of women in the 1800s. In her story, Chopin estimates the situation of women in marriage and she looks at the life from a female perspective. Mrs. Mallard, the heroine of the story, is a cardiac patient, who had been told what to do by her husband and could not make choices for herself. In a way, Chopin portrays what it is like to be a woman in the late nineteenth century through an ill protagonist. In the story Mrs. Mallard is told that her husband is dead, even though she is emotional at first, she leaps for joy with the recognition of freedom. However, when Mrs. Mallard learns her husband is alive, which means she will lose her moment of freedom all over again, she dies. “When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease—of joy that kills.” (Chopin 3) Analyzing of “The Story of an Hour” through the historical and feminist lenses, it can interpreted as an illustrating of a woman’s lack of freedom in a male-dominated society. “The Story of an Hour” was written in the Victorian Era, when a wife was responsible for all household chores without...
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...the two short stories “The Story of an Hour”, by Kate Chopin and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, by James Thurber. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is a short story written in 1937. The main character is an older man that drives his wife to town for beauty parlor visits and weekly shopping. “The Story of an Hour” was published in 1894. The main character, Louise Mallard, thinks that she will find freedom from the death of her husband. These short stories share a common theme, gender roles within a marriage. Each of the main characters in these stories has their own ideas about the gender roles that they are supposed to play, according to society and the time that they live in. The secret life of Walter Mitty and The Story of an Hour are based on a man Mr. Walter Mitty and a woman Mrs. Louise Mallard, whom believe that they have become prisoners within their marriages. They have to abide by the society standards of their era, divorce is not an option because all marriages have issues and the wedding vows need to be honored, “Until Death due us Part”. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Versus The Story of an Hour In “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” Walter is an elderly American man who is retired and has nothing better to do but to follow his wife around. Walter daydreams about a life that he wishes he had. The focus of this story is to represent a fantasy world opposed to a reality. “The Story of the Hour” presents a much more dramatic effect. This story reflects upon a...
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...The Necklace vs. The Story of an Hour Pamela Richard ENG 125 Lesa Hadley May 11, 2012 The Necklace vs. The Story of an Hour A short story, “The Necklace” (“La parure”) written by Guy de Maupassant in 1884 and a poem, ‘The Story of an Hour” written by Kate Chopin in 1894 are literary works that are very comparable yet are different. The two women, Madame Mathilde Loisel and Louise Mallard, portrayed in these literary works are protagonists who have trouble because of conflicting expectations imposed on them by society. Both Mathilde Loisel and Louise Mallard want something more than what their lifestyle offers them. During the time when the authors wrote these pieces, the social behaviors showed gender suppression/oppression. This essay will compare and contrast elements of content, form, and style between two different literary works. Both authors chose the theme of gender roles in marriage. During the time when the authors wrote theses pieces, the social behaviors showed gender suppression/oppression. The nineteenth century was impacted by the industrial revolution which caused a gap in gender roles, especially in the upper and middle classes (Radek, 2001). Men and women were thought to have completely different natures. Men were considered to be powerful, brave, rational and independent. Women were considered weak, timid, emotional, and dependent. Those differences separated their functions in society. "Men were thought to have natures suited to the public...
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...gender equality is not something new. The feminist movement has been an old, progressive one. Many women and men alike have had these gender equity ideas for centuries; this idea is not a new one as pioneers from Sor Juana to Kate Chopin to even the present-day Emma Watson, have stated time and time again, women are faced with oppression by the patriarchal society in many different ways that hurt women and men alike. Kate Chopin wrote many short stories in her time that pushed the envelope for the feminist movement. Two stories in particular were “The Storm” and “ The Story of An Hour”. Both of these stories have a female protagonist oppressed by a male antagonist, which very much can be construed as a commentary of what social normal behavior was, a patriarchal driven society that oppressed any type of female freedoms or expressions. In Chopin’s short story, “The Story of An Hour” the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard was able to imagine a life of freedom when she received the news of the death of her husband. While, Mrs. Mallard was not given the liberty to enjoy her newfound freedom, for her husband did not pass away after all; Chopin writes in such a way that even if it was for just an hour, Mrs. Mallard had the life that every person dreams of. Chopin use of windows and open...
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...A Literary Analysis of “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin (1894) Cameron J. Garrett Colorado Christian University – English Composition June 11, 2011 The foundation of a great mystery story is the sudden and unexpected ending. One that drives you to question wither you missed the warning signs of what the future of the story holds. In “The Story of an Hour” (1894), Kate Chopin masterfully weaves us through many different emotions. Concern and sympathy develop as the story unfolds while the surprise ending makes for a great story. The story is built on the basis that Mrs. Mallard is not in good health. She is described as “afflicted with a heart trouble” (p. 259 ¶1). This leading statement instantly drives the reader to be concerned for Mrs. Mallard’s health. It also sets the stage for us to be compassionate for her loss during already difficulty times. As the story continues, the concern for Mrs. Mallard’s delicate state is further strengthened by who are relaying the information of Mr. Mallard to her. The presence of her sister Josephine and Mr. Mallard’s friend Richards show the level of support that Mrs. Mallard has from her friends and family. There is no evidence in the beginning that Mrs. Mallard is anything other than a grieving wife. Ms. Chopin further develops this as she describes Mrs. Mallard as “She wept at once, with sudden wild abandonment, in her sisters arms.” (p. 259 ¶3) We are further driven to believe that Mrs. Mallard is at a great loss...
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...Sean Troester Instructor Anthony Sanders English Composition II 25 September 2013 “The Story of an Hour” Literary Analysis In her story, "The Story of an Hour," Kate Chopin objectively brings the reader inside the mind of Louise Mallard upon her hearing of the death of her husband, Brently. Chopin uses specific language to guide her audience through Louise's brief time of grief and the ultimate realization of new found liberty, amidst sudden tragedy. In the text, Chopin presents a negative view on marriage, as well as articulating her longing to live free of another's imposing will. The speaker immediately brings the reader into the downstairs of the Mallard home, where Louise is being told of her husband's death by her sister, Josephine. It is revealed in the first line of the story, that Louise Mallard is "afflicted with heart trouble.” Richards, Brently's friend, is also mentioned in the text as being present, as Josephine informs her sister of Brently’s death. It appears Louise's grief is genuine, as she "wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms." The text communicates that she did not receive the news, "as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance." Louise clearly isn't like most women of her day. She travels upstairs alone to seemingly collect herself and reflect on what just transpired. Louise slumps into a chair, as she is staring at "open square." The speaker uses metaphors, of what is happening...
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...Gritty Realism During the 1890s, many women were limited to what they were allowed to do. They could not go to school, have a job, or even vote. Men viewed women as though they were only meant to bear children and be a housewife. However, a writer by the name of Kate Chopin was a voice for women all the over the world. Two of her most famous writings are “The Storm”, and “Story of an Hour”. Within these two writings, she discussed issues that many other women writers would have avoided. Another writer who was famous for his portrayal of gritty topics was Ernest Hemingway. One of his most memorable writding is titled “Hills like White Elephants”. These writers were able to write about challenging realistic new ideas such as freedom after the death of a love one, abortion, and adultery. Although some of these stories are deemed gritty, Hemingway’s “Hills like White Elephants” deals with realistic issues couples often face. These writings also have ironic undertones such as, when Mrs. Mallards dies from seeing from dead husband and the girl who thinks about abortion, but notices greener fields on the other side of the track. Furthermore realism is when an author intends to tell real life events to his/her audience. Realism can appear in many different aspects of society. When it comes to writing, realism focuses on the average individual, and can be heard as a voice for the ordinary human being. There is a focus on realistic people and events. For example in...
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...Mrs. Mallard and Walter Mitty: Chopin and Thurber's Tales of Matrimonial Imprisonment Ashley Snyder ENG125: Introduction to Literature Concetta Williams July 29, 2014 Mrs. Mallard and Walter Mitty: Chopin and Thurber's Tales of Matrimonial Imprisonment Marriage without freedom can feel like a very lonely place. It has been said that loneliness not only has the potential to depress our immune system, but it also can increase inflammatory responses that may put us at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, effect our minds in fantastical ways, as well as decrease our longevity (Winch, 2013). In Kate Chopin's, "The Story of an Hour" and James Thurber's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", the story of isolation and the desperate yearning for deliverance is told in two very unique and captivating ways. In Kate Chopin's poetic story—unfolding within the time span of one hour—we have Mrs. Louise Mallard who has been informed that her husband was killed in a tragic accident. As readers, we witness what happens to Louise during this moment in time. Then we have the seemingly comical story authored by Thurber in which he presents to us an older gentleman by the name of Walter Mitty. We follow Walter through his mundane existence while delving into his exaggerated day dreams. What comes to light is that the mental processes of both Chopin and Thurber's protagonists personify not only the theme of seeking freedom within the confines of marriage, but how these cognitive...
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...The Story of an Hour Analysis Kate Chopin’s short story called The Story of an Hour fits its title because the whole story happens in literally an hour or less. In the story the first character we hear about is Mrs. Mallard a wife of a man who works at a railroad; it is also known that she has a heart disease. We also hear about her sister, Josephine who had to break the news to Mrs. Mallard about her husband’s supposed death, the last character is Mr. Mallards friend named Richards, who seems to be with Josephine just for moral support and to be there if anything were to happen. The setting took place in Mr. and Mrs. Mallards house when Josephine went to break the news “in broken sentences” to her about the railroad accident that happened and seemed to cause the life of Mr. Mallard. The story is told in third person, and it only takes an hour or less to find out what really happened at the railroads. After she had heard of the disaster that had happened back at the railroads she started to cry on her sisters shoulders. She was paralyzed at the fact that her husband had died she was in a huge shock and did not expect such news. The story then goes on talking about depression “There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know” I believe that what was coming to her was a depression that she had never felt before. Mrs. Mallard’s felt guilt mostly because she realized that she had taken her husband for granted. Also, by taking...
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...Readings in British and American Literature HanQiqun June,08,2015 Irony Analysis of the story of an hour Guerin concludes that the formalistic critic deals with irony and paradox，with symbols and with the tensions that result from multiple interactions within the organic form of the literary piece.( Guerin 118) "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin is a short story that there is a "deeper level of irony in the story" in it. The short story expresses what happened to Louise Mallard after hearing of her husband Brently’s death in a railroad disaster. Since Mrs. Mallard suffers has heart problems, her sister Josephine told her the horrific news in a gentle way. After crying for a while, she went to her room alone and locked herself there. She should have been mournful and hopeless because of her husband’s death. However, she felt somewhat excited and frenzy. "Free! Body and soul free!" is what she really got from his death. After she accepted her husband’s death and realized she was free then, her husband came back safely. Finally she died. Although she died from the shock of seeing her living husband, the doctor said she was killed by joy. Though Chopin sympathizes the heroine, she puts bitter irony on her, meanwhile her attitude to the independent freedom is contradictory.(周亚萍 221）From the above introduction some perfect examples of irony use can be easily found. Here are the analysis of two of them. One is that Josephine was worried that Mrs. Mallard...
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...Naturalism - Short Stories Seminarleiter: Georg Schiller Datum der Abgabe: 16.04.2011 Female Empowerment in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” Anjana Dhir BA Englisch KF, Geschichte NF 3. Semester Table of Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. The French – Creole society of Louisiana 4 2.1 Cultural background 4 2.2 French-Creole women 5 3. The Role of Women 6 4.1 Edna vs. Madame Ratignolle 7 3.1.1 “A Valuable Piece of Property” 7 3.1.2 Edna – The Unusual Woman 9 3.1.3 Adèle Ratignolle – The Archetype Woman 14 3.2 “Mother Woman” – The Patriarchal Ideology 16 4. Chopin’s Imagery 18 5. Conclusion - Edna’s Suicide 19 6. Bibliography 21 1. Introduction A certain ungovernable dread hung about her when in the water, unless there was a hand nearby that might reach out and reassure her. But that night she was like a little tottering, stumbling, clutching child, who of a sudden realizes its powers, and walks for the first time alone, boldly and with over confidence. […] A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been given her to control the working of her body and her soul. She grew daring and reckless, overestimating her strength. She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before. This scene in Kate Chopin’s novel describes...
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...Literary Analysis of The Story of an Hour Oppression is dominant in many traditional styled marriages, suggesting that the woman stay at home to see to the man’s needs and to bore children, only to later end up old and sad and without independence, seeking resolution and finding only anguish and regret in her endeavors. Death in many cultures is looked upon as a sad event, and in others is respectively as a joyous moment, not because the victim was deceased, but because they are thought to have moved on to a new life. What these two concepts have in common may be vague at first glance, but after reading The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin, one can begin to piece together the relationship between these two concepts. The title ultimately has the ability to tell the story before one even has to lay eyes on the first sentence. The Story of an Hour suggests that the woman’s life begin at the very moment that her husband's ended, in other words, this is where her story began. The title goes on to suggest that her new life only lasted for one short hour until she abruptly perished. No other detailed information about how her life was previous to this...
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