Kate Chopin and "The Story of an Hour"
ENG 125 Introduction to Literature
Understanding Literary Themes
Literary elements support and develop the themes in all works of fine literature. The short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin is a work delicately woven together with different literary elements including symbolism, character, and point of view that contribute to the theme of the story, which is a study of individuality conflicting with oppression. Oppression in general can come from society, human beings, or even from the same person. In this short story, Louise is being oppressed by all three groups aforementioned. She is oppressed by society in having to conform to a certain stereotypical method of mourning, oppressed by her husband and their marriage, and oppressed by her own heart, which dares not continue on after losing her independence once more. Oppression in America was not uncommon at this time, especially in marriages. Kate Chopin was a feminist and often tried to expose how confined women were in society and in marital relationships. Liu Zhuo said that “[This short story was] exploring how American main stream society ignored women's values and imposed constraints on spiritual freedom.”(Zhuo, 2004). Individuality in this short story is seen strongly when Louise is contemplating her own life. She, a dependent and intelligent woman, feels as if she has shrugged off some horrid burden and is allowed to have a free and wonderful time after she learns of the accident. As impressive as this may sound, she was intended on being just another woman being oppressed in this time period, but the death of her husband liberates her enough to show her independent nature. Emily Toth notes that Louise “will not have to live her life for anyone else; she will not have to submit to anyone's wishes but her own.” (Toth, pg 10). Her strong will and desire to be her own person is evident in this analysis. Louise
Understanding Literary Themes
Literary elements support and develop the themes in all works of fine literature. The short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin is a work delicately woven together with different literary elements including symbolism, character, and point of view that contribute to the theme of the story, which is a study of individuality conflicting with oppression. Oppression in general can come from society, human beings, or even from the same person. In this short story, Louise is being oppressed by all three groups aforementioned. She is oppressed by society in having to conform to a certain stereotypical method of mourning, oppressed by her husband and their marriage, and oppressed by her own heart, which dares not continue on after losing her independence once more. Oppression in America was not uncommon at this time, especially in marriages. Kate Chopin was a feminist and often tried to expose how confined women were in society and in marital relationships. Liu Zhuo said that “[This short story was] exploring how American main stream society ignored women's values and imposed constraints on spiritual freedom.”(Zhuo, 2004). Individuality in this short story is seen strongly when Louise is contemplating her own life. She, a dependent and intelligent woman, feels as if she has shrugged off some horrid burden and is allowed to have a free and wonderful time after she learns of the accident. As impressive as this may sound, she was intended on being just another woman being oppressed in this time period, but the death of her husband liberates her enough to show her independent nature. Emily Toth notes that Louise “will not have to live her life for anyone else; she will not have to submit to anyone's wishes but her own.” (Toth, pg 10). Her strong will and desire to be her own person is evident in this analysis. Louise