Story Of An Hour Literary Analysis Essay
Corinne Graham
Ms. Miller
ENG 113-11WB
25 February 2014
Analysis vs.Biographical Criticism and “Story of an Hour” Critics often argue that authors works are purely and entirely “something to be studied in itself” ( Barnet, Burto, and Cain 1395), not part of a personal outlook from the author’s life. In “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, the author sheds light on the struggles of marriage and the feelings of imprisonment found within love. Mrs. Mallard, who has existing heart trouble, is wrongly informed of her husband’s death. Although her initial reaction is to weep, she treats this incident as if she is free from a lifelong sentence of unhappiness. Once Richards tells Mrs. Mallard of the tragedy, she goes alone to her room. As she sits in her chair gazing at the outside world, she starts to come alive through the new spring life that is occurring, such as the blooming flowers and patches of the blue sky showing through the rain. While her sister Josephine crept outside the door believing her sister was putting herself into danger, Mrs. Mallard begins to let her soul free. She then begins to open the door. She is weakened from her newfound yet walks like a goddess of victory to her sister; together they walk down the stairs to Richards who is waiting for them at the bottom. The front door opens, and Brently Mallard walks through the door alive and unharmed. The author leaves the ending …show more content…
Mallard dies of feeling uncontrollable joy or at the sight of Mr. Mallard and her lost freedom. Through the character of Mrs. Mallard in “Story of an Hour”, Chopin mirrors herself by
Ms. Miller
ENG 113-11WB
25 February 2014
Analysis vs.Biographical Criticism and “Story of an Hour” Critics often argue that authors works are purely and entirely “something to be studied in itself” ( Barnet, Burto, and Cain 1395), not part of a personal outlook from the author’s life. In “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, the author sheds light on the struggles of marriage and the feelings of imprisonment found within love. Mrs. Mallard, who has existing heart trouble, is wrongly informed of her husband’s death. Although her initial reaction is to weep, she treats this incident as if she is free from a lifelong sentence of unhappiness. Once Richards tells Mrs. Mallard of the tragedy, she goes alone to her room. As she sits in her chair gazing at the outside world, she starts to come alive through the new spring life that is occurring, such as the blooming flowers and patches of the blue sky showing through the rain. While her sister Josephine crept outside the door believing her sister was putting herself into danger, Mrs. Mallard begins to let her soul free. She then begins to open the door. She is weakened from her newfound yet walks like a goddess of victory to her sister; together they walk down the stairs to Richards who is waiting for them at the bottom. The front door opens, and Brently Mallard walks through the door alive and unharmed. The author leaves the ending …show more content…
Mallard dies of feeling uncontrollable joy or at the sight of Mr. Mallard and her lost freedom. Through the character of Mrs. Mallard in “Story of an Hour”, Chopin mirrors herself by