Mrs. Mallard’s Reaction to the Death of Her Husband in Story of an Hour
When a spouse dies their partner's world changes, the short story "Story of an Hour" is centered on Mrs. Mallard reacting upon the news that her husband has been killed in a train accident. Theoretically she should be in a world of grief although; in reality she experiences some conflicting feelings. As Mrs. Mallard realizes her new found freedom, she knows she will still mourn the passing of her husband. He was a good husband although; he suffocated her in his attempts to set her on a pedestal, to make her the ideal wife. That every young lady would have loved to been in the 1890's.
The happiness she feels discovering her freedom is something that consumes her thoughts. She seems to remain in control of her feelings and understands that these unusual feelings are from being bottled up for too long. The theme of this story would be "Identity / Self- hood". Throughout the short story there were three main examples to back up my theme of "Identity / Self- hood". Those three examples are the way Mrs. Mallard states herself. Also Symbols that the author used, and the conflict of seeing her husband alive again and having to live under him for the rest of her life.
Recap: Louise reaction to her husband's death is far from typical. Upon finding out the news that her beloved husband was tragically killed in a train accident, she immediately goes to her room where she can be alone. Mrs. Mallard eventually comes to terms with the significance of the news. The room which she retreats is where she discovers all the newfound freedoms that result from the loss of her husband. When she is lured out of her room by her sister in law she is caught off guard by the sight of her husband as he walks through the door. Mrs. Mallard lets out a scream and collapses. The reader is told that she had died of a heart disease of the "joy that kills" but we know the truth...
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Names, names are one of the most important things about a person; if we didn't have names what would we be called? Unknown, nameless? No that is horrible; through the story Author Kate Chopin uses this as a way to show the standing of Mrs. Mallard underneath her husband. In the beginning of the story Chopin calls the main character by Mrs. Mallard as a sign of marriage, almost a piece of property to Mr. Mallard. After finding out that her husband had been tragically killed Chopin started to call Mrs. Mallard by her first name 'Louise'. When Chopin decided to change how she recognizes Louise shows her freedom from Mr. Mallard. This goes right along with my second piece of evidence that I have found symbolism.
Chopin had very good symbolism all throughout the story. For example, she used the open window as an escape from the confinements of her marriage. After having been under her husband's commands and catering to all his needs; she is now able to start living her own life, the way she would like to live it. Another one the symbolisms I found was spring time, and that would symbolize a new beginning. In spring there are always new animals being born, also new flowers blossoming. This goes with the story because Louise is now going to be able to start her life over and make it the way she would like to make it without anyone having a say.
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Mrs. Mallard’s Reaction to the Death of Her Husband in Story of an Hour. (2023, May 30). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/mrs-mallards-reaction-to-the-death-of-her-husband-in-story-of-an-hour/
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