The Story of an Hour
The Story of an Hour is a short story in which Kate Chopin, the author, depicts marriage and the life of women in the middle of the 1800s. The main character, Mrs. Louise Mallard, goes through the excitement of being free rather than the sadness and seclusion after she receives the information of the death of her husband. Just as she's about to start enjoying her freedom, her husband reappears. The reality that she won't enjoy her freedom again hits her and she dies out of disappointment. 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 Female Strength
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. Beauty, power, and brains are the hallmark of being a woman. Nonetheless, in the 18th century, women were treated as servants with no voice as portrayed by Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" where women are not free to do the things they want to do regardless of being married. What would be the effect in case their husbands died? Would they be sad? What about the irony of liberty but losing everything? (Hicks 10)
Men's Authority in Marriage
In the 18th century, men were commanding and authoritative once they entered into marriage. According to Hicks, Jennifer "Divorce was quite rare in the 1800s and if one was to occur, men were automatically given legal control of all property and children" (Hicks 23). Mrs. Mallard, who was depicted as weak due to issues with her heart, was notified of the death of her husband. A common reaction for any ailing wife who has lost her husband would be to wonder about who would give her attention in her state or to help her in offsetting household bills. During that period, men were the head of households, so many questions would have been running through Mallard's head after the death of her husband.
Situations of Symbolism and Irony
The story has several situations that are symbolic and filled with irony. It is said that Mallard suffers from a heart condition that could take her life if she is caught by surprise or experiences heightened emotions. Mallard's sister offers to break the news of her husband's death from a railroad accident and takes care not to break the news in a manner that will affect Mallard's condition. When Mallard hears this, she moves to her room while shedding tears and locks herself in. While at first she is saddened by the death of her husband and the loneliness it will bring, she soon comes into the realization that the death will give her the freedom she has been yearning for. Hence she becomes radiant and full of life now that she is beginning a new life. (Chopin 1). When sister Josephine calls her to open her door, she leaves her room as if still saddened by the loss of her husband, just as Mr. Mallard walks in the door. Her husband's friend Richard attempts to block Mr. Mallard from his wife but it's too late. Louise then collapses and dies from heart disease caused by the sudden surprise of seeing her "dead" husband. The freedom she was craving for and looking forward to was suddenly taken away from her when she saw her husband Brently. She resigned to herself being Mrs. Mallard for the remainder of her life, and I consider that this thought killed her.
A Powerful Statement on Humanity and Women's Rights
In conclusion, when at first one reads the "Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin, one doesn't seem to be astonished by how it ends. Nevertheless, there is more to this story than merely "back from the dead" horror stories. Kate is making a robust statement, however indirectly, on humanity and the right of women. One might assume that the author was sending a subtle message through her short story that we should enjoy life to the fullest while we are alive. The author also attempts to let us see how Mrs. Mallard was suffering in silence and that at the end of the day, every one of us thirsts for freedom.
Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour." Heritage of American Literature. 1894.
Hicks, Jennifer. “An overview of the Story of an Hour.” Short stories for students. Detroit: Gale. 2002.
