Story Of An Hour Literary Analysis

Realism is a literary movement which began in France and eventually came to the USA as a response to romanticism. This literary style focuses on the details of actual life, and strives for detailed, realistic, and factual description. “The Story of an Hour,” written by Kate Chopin, is a perfect depiction of realism. This short story presents the reality of society, woman, and marriage in 1900’s. The author uses characterization, conflict, and theme to make the story a piece of realism. In the story, Chopin cleverly uses conflicts to illustrate realism. Mrs. Mallard is informed about her husband’s death. However, she doesn’t feel too bad; instead she sees “beyond that bitter movement”(Kate Chopin,636). There was something that Mrs. Mallard
was waiting for. And she could only gain through her husband’s death. The conflict is that Mrs. Mallard is happy that her husband died because she is finally free from the unhappy life she was living but she should really be saddened by the death of the man she married. This presents the dark side of marriage, and thus makes the story realism. Then, Mrs. Mallard gradually starts to feel the joy of her lost independency. Mrs. Mallard is finally "free, free, free!"(637) from her husband's grasp. Nevermore will she feel trapped by her husband’s controlling nature. At this point, readers realize that the conflict in the story was not between her and her husband’s death but between her and her husband’s life. As the condition of woman in late 1900’s can be portrayed, this epitomize realism. In her article, “American Realism: 1865-1910,” Patricia Penrose discuses realism in American literature : “Characters appear in real complexity of temperament and motive. “Similarly, in the story, Mrs. Mallard appears in the real complex situation which makes the story realism. One of the distinguishing factors that determine realism is the use of characterization.
The beginning of the story is dedicated to Mrs. Mallard fragility. She is cast as a weak-hearted woman: “Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death”(636). This shows realism because the author begins her story by describing the pain of a normal character. After hearing that news, she weeps at once and goes to her own room. Chopin describes Mrs. Mallard as a “young, with a fair, calm face whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength”(637). Here, the term ‘repression’ indirectly characterize Mrs. Mallard’s husband who is more dominate in the relationship. As this reflects the patriarchal society then, it exemplifies realism. Then, when Mallard’s husband dies, she adventures her lost freedom. In her article, Penrose also mentions that “character is more important than action and plot.” Similarly, in the story, Chopin focuses more on describing characters’ situation rather than plot, which is one of the fundamental aspects of
realism. The theme of the story follows realistic principals by showing a forbidden joy of independence and the bitter truth of the harsh patriarchal society. As she realizes her freedom that will soon come with the death of her husband, Mrs. Mallard becomes more ecstatic. The author mentions that there will be “no powerful will bending hers in blind persistence” (637). Louise begins to realize that she is now an independent woman. She would now no longer be under control of any other external forces. This demonstrates the reality of harsh society at that time which causes Mrs. Mallard to lose her freedom, thus it makes story realism. Then, the realization of being free enlivens and excites her. Mrs. Mallard is now on her room thinking about her new coming
life.
When Mrs. Mallard opens the door to her sister’s request, there is “a feverish triumph in her eyes” and she carries herself like “a goddess of victory”(638). She thinks that she has won her freedom back. This shows the happiness of Mrs. Mallard as she explores her independence. However, she gains this experience only after her husband’s death. This happiness reflects the aspects of realism because it shows the condition of a woman whose freedom is ceased by her society and marriage. After her husband comes home, Mrs. Mallard dies. Her dream of living in a free world vanishes. She could not pursue joy and live in a way that made her happy, thus the pursuit of happiness isn’t achieved. This makes the story realism. Opposing views claim the story to be naturalistic because the character is at the mercy of her environment. It is true that Mrs. Mallard’s freedom was suppressed by her society. However, Mrs. Mallard adapts to the condition instead of just reacting to
it. Kate Chopin is a realist writer who uses characterization, conflict, and theme to demonstrate American Realism. This literary movement is portrayed through Mrs. Mallard’s forbidden joy of independence. The conflicts and themes of the story show realist aspects, because they show the reality of society its effects on Mrs. Mallard’s life at the time. Readers value realist literature because it shows the reality of the world which people may not be aware. Similarly, American realism communicates a message to the world that life isn’t perfect. As life is unpredictable, people should be ready to face any situation that comes their way.