Mrs Mallard A Dynamic Character Essay

In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” Mrs. Mallard is the protagonist. In the story, the unpredictable happens to Mrs. Mallard. Mrs. Mallard is the protagonist of the story, and also a dynamic character. She is one that hides emotion and no one really knows how she is feeling. She also puts off a selfish vibe in the beginning of the story, but you soon know why she reacts the way she did to her husbands passing.

Mrs. Mallard is a dynamic character as we see her undergo fundamental changes throughout the story. From the very beginning we are aware that Mrs. Mallard has two major problems to face. She is afflicted with heart problems and is about to receive news of an unexpected death to her husband. The story implies, “Knowing Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with heart trouble; great care was taken to break to her the news of her husband’s death”
(Chopin 15). When informed she was phased into the news which might have made it easier for her to take in and lead to why she reacted in the manner that she did. The reaction to her husband’s death is where Mrs. Mallard changes within the story.

Mrs. Mallard’s reaction to

her husband’s death is unusual and takes people by surprise. She responds with happiness of being free. Mallard kept whispering, “free! Body and soul free!” (Chopin 16). She wasn’t as upset when she found out her husband had died when she was surrounded by family and friends consisting of her sister and her husbands best friend. She wasn’t happy he passed, but relieved to be out of the relationship. She is relieved to spend her life the way she wants, and doesn’t have to consult anyone before doing something. The reaction to his death reveals the characteristics of Mrs. Mallard and her being an unusual person.

The character’s actions reveal the true personalities of the character.

Mrs. Mallard is and unusual character, therefore it makes since that she would develop an unusual response to a situation, such as, her husband passing. Mrs. Mallard states that she is free after receiving the news of he husbands death. This response to me is shocking in the sense of what marriage is about and what it is supposed to mean to both people connected to the relationship. Mrs. Mallard most likely acted in this manner because she was unhappy in her marriage and this was an easy escape for her. This story took place and was written in 1894, which was in the time period of not getting divorce. If you married someone you stayed with them until one of you passed away. The death of her husband is relieving because it is a way out of her painful

marriage.

Mrs. Mallard is an unusual character, who reacts poorly when finding out news of her husband dying. She is afflicted with heart problems. The ending of the story is ironic because when she sees her husband, who is not actually dead, walk through the door she dies due to heart problems.