A Joy That Kills In Kate Chopin's The Story Of An Hour

"A Joy That Kills"

"The story of an hour" leads to a sequence of shocking events through Kate Chopin' s main character Louise Mallard. In this short story poem, Chopin reveals an unsaid view of marriage in the late 1800s that many women may have felt. Learning the death of her husband's death, Mrs. Mallard experiences an overwhelming joy that overtakes her. Mrs. Mallard is a caged bird that is finally let free to fly into her own death, such as women are today.

In the beginning of "The Story of an Hour" Chopin reveals that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble. This heart troubled was there before the knowledge of her husband's death, indicating that it was coming from somewhere else. Fairly soon after the short story begins, Mrs.

Mallard learns the news of her husband's death. Seemingly depressed "she wept at once with a sudden, wild abandonment in her sister's arms" (p.4). Following her storm of grief, Mrs. Mallard wanted to be left alone in her room. In the empty room was a chair that comforted her as she gazed out of the window. As she looked out her window she reflected on the beautiful things of nature. In disbelief, she sat back in her chair quite motionless, as she felt physically exhausted. Realizing a shameful pleasure, Mrs. Mallard fought back her thoughts the best she could. As she "abandoned herself." she whispered the words "free, free, free!"
This shocking turn of events shows that Mrs. Mallard was feeling joyful instead of sorrowful. Mrs. Mallard realizes she would no longer have anyone to cater to. Her marriage was over and she had found freedom. Mrs. Mallard obviously did not love her husband although she may have been fond of him at times. In the 1890s the freedom of a women differed than from those of society today. According to Kate Chopin, woman were seen as the house keeper. The main priorities of a women should have been to cook and clean. In addition, men were expected to work and be the head of the house while the women stayed at home.
Louis Mallard's short lived joy will ultimately come to an end. After finding her independence, Mrs. Mallard was asked to come downstairs. Her sister, who had initially told her the news of her husband's death, came to check on her. She was worried that Mrs. Mallard would make herself ill. Already filled with joy, Mrs. Mallard hesitated to go to her grave. Louise even says a prayer hoping that she would live a long time before walking downstairs. Clutching her sister's, Mrs. Mallard went downstairs. Instantly having a heart attack Mrs. Mallard dies from the sight of her husband still being alive. Ironically the doctor rules her death from a joy that kills.
Chopin gave insight about what many women still possibly go through today. Being married at a young age such as fifteen and sixteen were common during her era. Seen as weak, women were expected to depend on a man to take care of her. Self expression was not common amongst young women. This negative view of marriage shows women to be like a caged animal. Harsh but true, most women, generally do not go against her husband's will. "The Story of an Hour" depicts silenced women as a whole. Even though wrong perceptions might be perceived, women should be able to live how they want. All in all it is not the man's fault for being a man, but it is society that is a joy that kills.