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Stereotypes In The Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin

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Stereotypes In The Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin
Imagine a person desiring to have their own personal freedom; however, they are stuck due to the beliefs in their society. Gender roles and stereotypes were very common in the earlier time periods. In the 1900s women were restricted on doing things for themselves. Women were supposed to devote their lives to their husbands. "The Story of an Hour" reflects this part of history by revealing the conflict between a woman wanting her life to be her own and being expected to follow the set rules of society. In majority of most American marriages, the husband was the head of the household. Women were expected to be supported by their husbands and not have the independence that some women desired. Mrs. Mallard was one of many women who experienced …show more content…
Mallard "Saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. She opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome" (Chopin 786). She is planning on escaping her dilemma by treasuring the free moments in her life that are soon to come. Though the moment was bitter and dreadful, Mrs. Mallard was more intrigued with the years to come. In those years she would live freely and not have to be dependent as she once was. While she sat down in her room and contemplated about all that has happened, she felt a presence approaching her. The story states, "Free! Body and soul free!" (Chopin 786). Freedom and independence of her life is what awoke inside of her. The bitterness and heartache she once felt was then released. Love was not something that could be greater than her having the possession of her own life. As the story comes to a close, Josephine went by her door pleading for her to come out. Looking outside the window, Mrs. Mallard was "Drinking the elixir of life through that open window" (Chopin 787). The elixir of life restored the essence and perspective of her life. In that moment she was receiving a new demeanor of life and nearly a fresh start. When she goes down stairs and sees that her husband is alive, she dies due to shock. Though she did not escape and achieve freedom, she in the brief moments upstairs, felt a feeling she had been longing

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