Women's Strength in "The Story of an Hour"
Women have always been perceived as the weaker gender, usually requiring care and delicate treatment. However, beyond the meek appearance, there lies a strength that is often underestimated. This paper explores the theme of female strength in Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour.”
Exploring Women's Strength and Freedom
Chopin examines women’s strength and what freedom means in a society that so often confines their ability to express themselves and pursue their dreams freely. Chopin explores the assumption usually made by many people, both in ancient and contemporary societies that women cannot efficiently handle tragic news. Chopin demonstrates women’s strength in the book when Richard and Josephine take a measured and gentle approach to inform Louise Mallard about the apparent death of her husband. Mrs. Mallard weeps openly after receiving the news and goes to solitude in her room. While introverted in her room, she imagines the freedom that would arise out of the tragedy. Mrs. Mallard was happy she would have no one follow her after her husband’s death (Chopin 1). While people expected her to fall apart, she managed to pull herself together and look forward to better days as an independent woman. Chopin further shows that Mrs. Mallard found marriage to be confining. In a way, she perceived being married as an experience that curtails her freedom to pursue her interests. When she realizes her husband is alive, she dies of “heart disease” in what is assumed to be the “joy that kills.” However, her death may have resulted from the shock of seeing her freedom vanish again before her eyes.
Marriage as a Cause of Psychological Stress
Chopin’s masterpiece story depicts marriage as a cause of psychological stress to women that denies them freedom. Despite misconceptions and stereotypes about women, Chopin maintains the viewpoint that women have immense strength as the male gender.
Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour." 1894.
