The Story of an Hour, first published on December 6, 1894, in Vogue magazine, is a short story written by Kate Chopin (1851-1904) who is an American writer of short stories and novels. The story ,set in the house of Mr Mallard, unfolds a one-hour span of life,from spiritually reborn to physically death, of Ms Mallard.
Concerned with Ms Mallard’ affliction of heart trouble, great care was taken by her sister Josephine and her husband’s friend Richard ,who worked in the newspaper office and double-checked the truth when the news of Mr. Mallard’ death arrived, before they broke to her this grievous news . Hit by the thunderbolt head-on, she locked herself in the bedroom upstairs after a conventional keening ,slumping into her chair , gazing outside the window and sobbing. A spring sight and patches of sky escaping from piles of clouds filtered through the window.
Suddenly, an elusive hint of euphoria that she was free occurred to her even though she was frightened by the thought herself and striving to beat it back at first. Hard as she restrained the vicious thought, she failed and succumbed to it at the thought of gaining freedom in soul and body and not needing to compromising to the public opinion upon marriage .
Worried about Ms Mallard, Josephine pounded upon her sister’s door to make sure she was not doing something ill. Contradict with Josephine’s anxiety, Ms Mallard was holding a pleasant hope towards her coming free future with no one disturbing her . But Brantley Mallard –her “dead” husband appeared at the door when she descending downstairs with her sister. It actually was a mix-up. Unbearable the whirlwind of ups and downs, Ms Mallard was knocked down by a sudden heart disease which the doctor diagnosed as “of joy that kills”.
Ms Mallard is a weak–will housewife who depresses her strong desire to control her destiny. Dominated by her husband, she suffered constant stress which may probably cause her heart