Hannah Rasmussen Adv.

English 9 Short Story Analysis January 5, 2012

A Critical Analysis of The Story of an Hour A death in the family is a difficult challenge in most peoples lives which can affect them significantly. In the short story, The Story of an Hour, just this happens but the reaction is not in the way most would expect. Mrs. Mallard, the main character, is told her husband has died in a train wreck. The news of Mr. Mallards death awakens a long suppressed and dormant sense of freedom in Mrs. Mallard. This freedom is short lived, as her husbands return crushes her awakened spirit and ends her life. We know this is the case because of the words Kate Chopin uses to illustrate the scene outside Mrs. Mallards window as well as the progression of her thoughts and feelings after hearing the tragic news. Kate Chopin frequently uses symbolism in The Story of an Hour. It is mostly used when describing Mrs. Mallards surroundings. When Mrs. Mallard sat facing the open window [in] a comfortable, roomy armchair (4) she could see the scene outside her window. The open window is one of the most important uses of symbolism. The window symbolizes freedom, which Mrs. Mallard has just gained. The narrator pointed out that She could see . . . the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life (4). Spring is a symbol for new life and growth which Mrs. Mallard is experiencing after hearing the news of her husbands death. Symbolism is also used in the describing of the weather outside the open window. Mrs. Mallard can taste The delicious breathe of rain in the air (4). Here, water is used as a symbol for washing away the old life Mrs. Mallard had and the new life she is prepared to face. Mrs. Mallards new freedom isnt developed in a short moment. We are given insight to how Mrs. Mallard began to realize the change within her. Once Mrs. Mallard was in her bedroom, she sank [into the armchair], pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach

into her soul (3). This reaction to her Husbands death shows that her thought is reaching into her soul to pull out her long suppressed happiness. Many would say that Mrs. Mallard could just be in a deep state of grief but there is proof of her growing understanding. Mrs. Mallard had a look in her eyes that was not a glance of reflection but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought (8). This lets us know that her thoughts are moving and growing. With a change so drastic, it must be instinctual to fight it. Mrs. Mallard began to become alarmed with her new transformation and was striving to beat it back with her will (10). Mrs. Mallard didnt have much choice in whether she wanted to change or not, but by the end she gains a whole new sense of self-awareness and mindset. Once Mrs. Mallard has this realization, she asks herself the question What could lovecount for in face of this possession of self-assertion, which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being (15). There is a sense of accomplishment when enduring a transformation as drastic as Mrs. Mallards. When Mrs. Mallard emerged from her room There was a feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory (20). Mrs. Mallard has a long suppressed freedom awakened in her because of her husbands death and how her feelings and thoughts progress. This awareness and confidence gives her a whole new outlook on life. This new mindset shows a newly liberated woman. Everyone in life is disappointed at one point or another. Mrs. Mallards disappointment just happened to kill her. The return of Mr. Mallard is a disappointment to Mrs. Mallard because she believes she is now free to live the way shes longed to and her belief is cut short. The symbolism in the story sets up for the progression of Mrs. Mallards thoughts that lead her to believe she is now a free person. Mrs. Mallards situation is similar to many childrens world-wide. As adolescents, we are often controlled by adults and told what to do, many times suppressing our freedom. Mrs. Mallard lived a restricted life and was not free to be herself. Mrs. Mallard became a whole new person and then it was ripped right out from under her. Kate Chopin sets up for this change by using symbolism to communicate how Mrs. Mallard soon progresses and changes into a new person.

Kate Chopins, The Story of an Hour, is a short story filled with sadness, hope, and tragedy, illustrated through Mrs. Mallards progression of thoughts and feelings after being liberated from her husband, leading to her eventual demise.