The Innocence of Brently Mallard in The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

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The Innocence of Brently Mallard in The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

After reading "The Story of an Hour", there seems to linger a feeling in the reader

or readers of disgust, or even hatred towards the 'man'. This is especially true for those

who have read other popular works by Kate Chopin that also seem to subtly cast the male

character in a dim, evil, negative sort of light. So it is not inexcusable to assume that the

reason Louise Mallard succumbed to such a sad end is because of her husband, causing

oppression or abusing her. However, Louise Mallard is not a victim of oppression caused

by her husband Brently. She is a victim of the victim of the oppression caused by marriage

in the nineteenth century.

Louise Mallard was not introduced as 'Louise Mallard'. Unlike the other female

Josephine who's title remains unknown, her first name 'Louise' was not mentioned until

very late in the story. Ironically, her first name was mentioned at the point where she feels

that she is married no longer, when her sister Josephine, "Louise, open the door . . . What

are ...

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