The Jealousy of Iago: Othello
Mount Royal University
Life’s Unpredictable Nature
February. 5 2014
“The story of an hour” by Kate Chopin is a story of enlightenment based on an event that did not occur- the death of Mrs. Mallard’s husband. The main character, Mrs. Mallard, is a woman confined by her marriage. When she discovers that her husband has died tragically, she becomes overwhelmed with a great deal of surprising relief. As if for the first time in her life, she experiences a moment of pure clarity. The surprising elements in the story can be compared to the constant change and unpredictability of nature.
Although the title of the story appears to speak for itself, there is something to be said for such events occurring in such a short period of time. The author is placing a strong emphasis on the fact that her story takes places over the period of an hour. As life is unpredictable, it has no rules on time limits; in their way it mirrors nature. Chopin makes specific references to nature itself, but her choice of title represents the connection between timing in a person’s life and in nature, and how unpredictable they both can be. A storm is a major event that occurs in nature in a very short period of time, as if a storm was nature’s unexpected mood swing. This parallels to the events that occur in this story within an hour.
Mrs. Mallard’s initial reaction to her husband’s death is expressed in the line “When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her” (line 14). The storm can be described as dark and gloomy with mixed elements, all of which can be symbolic for different emotions. Rain, wind, thunder and lighting all combined can represent the mix of fear and confusion; they can also be described as unexpected because no one can predict how nature will take its course over time. It is clear that a storm brewing inside of Mrs. Mallard, especially
Life’s Unpredictable Nature
February. 5 2014
“The story of an hour” by Kate Chopin is a story of enlightenment based on an event that did not occur- the death of Mrs. Mallard’s husband. The main character, Mrs. Mallard, is a woman confined by her marriage. When she discovers that her husband has died tragically, she becomes overwhelmed with a great deal of surprising relief. As if for the first time in her life, she experiences a moment of pure clarity. The surprising elements in the story can be compared to the constant change and unpredictability of nature.
Although the title of the story appears to speak for itself, there is something to be said for such events occurring in such a short period of time. The author is placing a strong emphasis on the fact that her story takes places over the period of an hour. As life is unpredictable, it has no rules on time limits; in their way it mirrors nature. Chopin makes specific references to nature itself, but her choice of title represents the connection between timing in a person’s life and in nature, and how unpredictable they both can be. A storm is a major event that occurs in nature in a very short period of time, as if a storm was nature’s unexpected mood swing. This parallels to the events that occur in this story within an hour.
Mrs. Mallard’s initial reaction to her husband’s death is expressed in the line “When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her” (line 14). The storm can be described as dark and gloomy with mixed elements, all of which can be symbolic for different emotions. Rain, wind, thunder and lighting all combined can represent the mix of fear and confusion; they can also be described as unexpected because no one can predict how nature will take its course over time. It is clear that a storm brewing inside of Mrs. Mallard, especially