Kate Chopin's Use Of An Open Window

In this short story, written by Kate Chopin, symbolism appears in the use of an open window. A symbol that is interpreted as Louise’s view to a world of freedom upon the news of her husband’s death. Chopin states that outside this open window, sights of “new spring life” were in sight. The use of this symbol assists Chopin in showing how looking through the death of her husband, opened her up to the idea of “body and soul” being released of possession. It’s as if the open window was a portal to a new life without control. One other symbol I believe Chopin used involved a weak heart. Louise having a weak heart played a giant role in this short story. It appeared in the very beginning and the very end of the story. Not only did her weak heart
cause a conflict, but it also was a symbol for possession. Louise’s weak heart was caused by her marriage with her husband. Although Louise’s thoughts show that “she had loved him—sometimes”, she believed there was a “private will” placed on her by her husband. As the news of her husband’s death starts to affect her, so do her thoughts of freedom. Chopin shows an increase in the health of her heart by writing: “Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body”. We don’t see the return of a weak heart again until the return of her surprisingly alive, dead husband walks through the door. She is found to have died from “heart disease”. I believe this is a cause of the returning possession of marriage.