Individuality In Kate Chopin's The Story Of An Hour

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In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”, the central theme of individuality is enforced through Mrs. Mallard’s journey of self-discovery as a result of the loss of her husband. This is demonstrated through the use of traditional gender stereotypes in the text which display the effects that an individual in a co-dependent marriage can experience when faced with a tragedy. This representation of gender roles is central to the meaning of the story; it would not have the same impact if it weren’t centered on a traditional housewife. Apart from gender roles, irony is one of the most prominent literary devices used in the story, further aiding in the representation of gender roles and individuality. The concept of marriage plays a big part in …show more content…

The most common stereotype is that women are weak. “Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband 's death.” (Chopin, 1). The way the news was broken to her was gentle and sugar coated whereas it would have been broken to a man directly and without being censored. This was done because it’s assumed that women will act irrationally and make poor choices when told bad news. Stereotypes are also evident when Louise begins to break down immediately after finding out that her husband has died and everyone assumed that she was crying because she was upset over the loss of the man she’s spent her whole life with. Although she was actually crying tears of joy because she secretly hated her husband. Other gender stereotypes are depicted when her husband acts the role of the tough/strong, independent, hard-working man who only thinks about himself and making money to provide for his family. Gender stereotypes force an individual to become someone that they’re not and who they really are becomes lost. Once that happens, they lose the ability to resolve their problems in a healthy manner and see who they really are. When all a person can do is live their life only caring for their partner, they eventually build up resentment that becomes hatred towards the one they’re supposed to love. When you’re so dependent on someone else’s happiness/success you’re unable/unequipped to deal with your own personal problems. Unhealthy attachments create an inability to be an individual

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