Kate Chopin's The Story Of An Hour

In the introductory paragraphs of “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin gives the reader a sense of sympathy with the tragedy that has taken place. As the reader find out, Mrs. Mallard’s husband has been “killed” on a railroad. Chopin eased the sorrow by having family and friends comfort and surround Mrs. Mallard despite each character’s own discomfort and grief as they also have had personal connections with the deceased.
As the narrator is in 3rd person, limited we have limited knowledge of everyone’s personal feeling as they mourn. Even as the narrator is 3rd person limited, the narrator gives the reader an insight on the future events. One such future sight is the statement “knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with heart trouble,

great care was taken to break to her gently as possible the news of her husband’s death” (in-text). While allowing the reader to forecast a potential tragedy, we can also examine the paragraph future to pick up on other hints that may take place. Another important hint is when the narrator put doubt in the reader head with the statement “…with Brently Mallard’s name leading the list of “killed” ”(in-text). The statement allows the reader to interpret the statement and put a doubt in the death of her husband because of the quotations around “killed”.
The story goes further and the reader is able to examine the mourning period of Mrs. Mallard. The Chopin states Mrs. Mallard initial reaction as a “paralyzed inability to accept its significance” (in-text). The reader is possibly able to relate with Mrs. Mallard loss of a loved one giving the story overall sense empathy. As the story moves forward and Mrs. Mallard grief and sorrow dissipates, she isolated herself to her room.
While in her room she faced a window. This can be interpreted as example of personification. The window can be seen in a literary sense and as a reflection of her own conflicting emotions. As she reflects upon her grief and sorrow there is a sensation of relief. “The tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life….patches of blue sky showing… through the clouds” (in text). The descriptive language sheds light on the euphoria Mrs. Mallard experiences. Overcoming her grief and embracing her newfound freedom Mrs. Mallard mutters “Free, free free”. This throws the reader off as there is no previous indication any unhappiness between Mrs. Mallard and the ‘deceased’ Brently. She knew that this feeling of comfort would not be long-lived but used it to reflect upon future possibilities and cherish the moments of being single. She reflects upon her aversion to the social roles and expectations of marriage, illuminating a taboo perspective to the norms of society of that time. We can infer that since Chopin’s husband also died “The Story of an Hour” can be a variation of her own personal experiences facing male spousal death and while giving a voice against the conventional roles of marriage during that time period.
As the story winds to the end, the authors foreshadow comes into effect as Mrs. Mallard descends down the stair with a newfound sense of feverish triumph but to her dismay and expected disappointment Brently Mallard opens the door, to which we learn Mrs. Mallards heart trouble caught up to her and she died. This can be literal or figurative as the reader is able to interpret her death as either literal or as her will to live as her freedom taken away. Showing that not all stories might not have a happy ending .