Story Of An Hour Rhetorical Analysis

In “The Story of an Hour,” Kate Chopin exposed the obligations and feelings of a stifled, young woman. The main character, Louise Mallard, thought she might get her freedom back, but the unexpected ending allowed the reader to understand what women experienced during this time, making the reader more connected to the characters. Additionally, readers were moved by the pathos of death, along with the imagery that was utilized by Chopin to make it easier for people to relate with. Her main purpose was to entertain but she also desired to inform the reader about women being repressed. Although this short story seemed quite straightforward, Chopin managed to pull the reader’s emotions in various directions with each new paragraph, using pathos

and literary devices such as mood, symbolism, and the theme of oppression to construct an unforgettable story.
Pathos was illustrated by Chopin, so the reader could connect with the characters on a personal level. For example, “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment,” demonstrates how many people feel after a loved one has been taken from them (Chopin 1). Almost everyone in their lifetime have or will experience the sadness that comes with losing those so dear to them. Another example was, “When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone” (1). This statement was made to enlighten how everyone experiences and deals with their pain differently. Many people feel the need to fill their lives with things and other people, while the rest just want to be unbothered about anything.
Chopin’s short story was intriguing to read because of the literary devices used throughout. Mood was a major factor in catching the reader’s attention because of the impact it made on their emotions. Reactions vary from sorrow for her lose, all the way to the shock of Mr. Mallard’s returns. There is even a sense of freedom that is expressed when Louise finally has her life back, which is significant because countless women have gone through the same trials. In fact, during this moment of the story Chopin is trying to inform the audience of the chains that the main character was trying to break free from. Another literary device used in this short story is a simile. After Louise has accepted all of the emotions building up inside her, she is able to enjoy this new feeling. As she exits the room to meet her sister, “There was a feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory” (2). Finally, she is able to enjoy and appreciate her life, as seen through this simple illustration.
The symbolism that was implied by Chopin can be seen through her imagery.

She used instances such as these, “The delicious breath of rain was in the air”, to convey her underlying meaning (1). While some may assume she was only speaking of rain, the real importance was that Louise was taking in a new breath of life at the death of her husband. Louise saw that, “There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds” (1). Images of a blue sky and watching the clouds roll by are a familiar scene for many. Most people can remember a beautiful day where everything seems alright and there was some happiness to their lives. Symbolism is also being shown here when Chopin explains how just a few rays of sun are breaking through the clouds. This is a parallel of how Louise is beginning to break out of that mold and find small pieces of happiness that belong to her

again.
Lastly, the most important component to this short story is the theme of oppression.

During Louise’s entire marriage she had felt as if she did not have a life of her own. Once she got a taste of that independence she could not stop uttering that one simple word, “‘free, free, free!’” (1). The expression of her new found happiness could not be contained. Naturally, she rivaled at the thought of living for herself and “There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature” (2). Eventually, when Louise started to accept her feelings, Chopin used an example of personification. For instance, “But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air” (1). In other words, the emotions that Louise felt it that moment were so powerful that it was as if they were stretching out and grabbing her. This instance helps prove the theme further because of how important this moment was for Louise and so many women when they escape from oppression in their

lives.
Chopin managed to make an informative but entertaining short story, all by using pathos, mood, symbolism, and many other literary devices. Each element is perfectly placed so that the reader receives shuttle hints before each big reveal within the story. She was also very successful in her writing because she wrote about a very important and understood topic. Women did not have many rights to their own life during this time because of inequality and now this injustice has in improved immensely. Altogether, that is what people need to strive towards every day, making sure everyone they meet, whether black, white, male, or female, has the same freedoms and opportunities as everyone else. Anyone should be able to choose who they want to be and what they want to do, always “‘Free! Body and soul free!’” (2).