Story Of An Hour Literary Analysis Essay
Dr. Guy
November 14th 2014
“The Story of an Hour” Literary Analysis
The modern marriage involves a couple that allows each person to have a say so in household decisions. This is much different from the 1800s when marriages were often arranged by parents and money was typically used as a way of bargaining. A woman had much less freedom during this time period; as the man was left fully in charge of household decisions. Women rarely left their houses and were in charge of household duties such as cooking and cleaning. The man had the voice in the relationship and women knew it was not their place to talk back or express their personal opinions. Kate Chopin expresses the voice of a woman during marriage in the late 1800s through a metaphorical …show more content…
Mallard. The storm coming from the west alludes to Mr. Mallard coming back into the life of Mrs. Mallard; though this return creates irony. The potential death of Mr. Mallard brought on a literal storm by the house of Mrs. Mallard. This storm came in from the west, a direction which typically means that the storm would be heading towards the house. The storm symbolizes Mr. Mallard in the sense that he brought turmoil to Mrs. Mallard and this turmoil was heading her way. Mrs. Mallard is caught in a “storm of emotions” between having a controlling husband or having no husband at all. Chopin writes “storm of grief” which would typically mean that the storm is going to overcome Mrs. Mallard and in this story, it does just that (705). The downfall of Mrs. Mallard is created by her marriage to Mr. Mallard. His return from being killed (705) causes Mrs. Mallard’s heart condition to bring upon her last breath. Chopin writes “the joy that kills” (706) was the cause of death; however, Mrs. Mallard was so shocked by the return of her husband’s re-appearance, knowing that her newfound freedom was going to be demolished and so with that, she falls to her death. The ironic death of Mrs. Mallard is caused by the disappointment that Mr. Mallard is able to control the life she recently believed to be free of rather than the joy of having her husband
November 14th 2014
“The Story of an Hour” Literary Analysis
The modern marriage involves a couple that allows each person to have a say so in household decisions. This is much different from the 1800s when marriages were often arranged by parents and money was typically used as a way of bargaining. A woman had much less freedom during this time period; as the man was left fully in charge of household decisions. Women rarely left their houses and were in charge of household duties such as cooking and cleaning. The man had the voice in the relationship and women knew it was not their place to talk back or express their personal opinions. Kate Chopin expresses the voice of a woman during marriage in the late 1800s through a metaphorical …show more content…
Mallard. The storm coming from the west alludes to Mr. Mallard coming back into the life of Mrs. Mallard; though this return creates irony. The potential death of Mr. Mallard brought on a literal storm by the house of Mrs. Mallard. This storm came in from the west, a direction which typically means that the storm would be heading towards the house. The storm symbolizes Mr. Mallard in the sense that he brought turmoil to Mrs. Mallard and this turmoil was heading her way. Mrs. Mallard is caught in a “storm of emotions” between having a controlling husband or having no husband at all. Chopin writes “storm of grief” which would typically mean that the storm is going to overcome Mrs. Mallard and in this story, it does just that (705). The downfall of Mrs. Mallard is created by her marriage to Mr. Mallard. His return from being killed (705) causes Mrs. Mallard’s heart condition to bring upon her last breath. Chopin writes “the joy that kills” (706) was the cause of death; however, Mrs. Mallard was so shocked by the return of her husband’s re-appearance, knowing that her newfound freedom was going to be demolished and so with that, she falls to her death. The ironic death of Mrs. Mallard is caused by the disappointment that Mr. Mallard is able to control the life she recently believed to be free of rather than the joy of having her husband