Story Of An Hour Literary Analysis

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“The Story of an Hour” was written was by Kate Chopin. Kate Chopin was an author who was known for tackling feminist topics. When she was nineteen years old, she married a man named Oscar Chopin, and she lived in New Orleans for the next ten years (Chopin 420). During that time, in Louisiana, women were still thought of as being the lawful property of their husbands’. As a result of being in such as environment, Chopin’s writings produced independent protagonists. In “The Story of an Hour,” one can clearly see that Chopin believed that marriage played an oppressive role in the lives of women during this time. The protagonist of “The Story of an Hour” is named Louise Mallard, and this woman seems to feel freedom only when her husband passes …show more content…

In the beginning of the story, we read that Louise receives word of her husband’s death from Josephine and Richards. As anyone would expect, her reaction is one of great grief. Afterwards, however, once she was alone, she began to realize something—she was independent. This realization revitalized and thrilled her. Although they were still simply thoughts that were inside of her head, she attempted to suppress this happiness that she was beginning to feel. She attempted to “beat it back with her will” (426). This part of the story demonstrates to us how forbidden the pleasure of being independent really seemed to be during this time period. Once she finally admits that it is joy and happiness that she is feeling, she feels completely overcome by these emotions. “When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under her breath: ‘free, free, free!’ The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. (426).” The story also goes on to tell us, “She did not stop to ask if it were or were not a monstrous joy that held her (426).” However, although Louise is overtaken by this joy, her life does not offer a haven for this feeling. It is not a joy that her society will understand, and it will certainly not be

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