The Innocence of Brently Mallard in The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

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The Innocence of Brently Mallard in The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin After reading "The Story of an Hour", there seems to linger a feeling in the reader or readers of disgust, or even hatred towards the 'man'. This is especially true for those who have read other popular works by Kate Chopin that also seem to subtly cast the male character in a dim, evil, negative sort of light. So it is not inexcusable to assume that the reason Louise Mallard succumbed to such a sad end is because of her husband, causing oppression or abusing her. However, Louise Mallard is not a victim of oppression caused by her husband Brently. She is a victim of the victim of the oppression caused by marriage in the nineteenth century. Louise Mallard was not introduced as 'Louise Mallard'. Unlike the other female Josephine who's title remains unknown, her first name 'Louise' was not mentioned until very late in the story. Ironically, her first name was mentioned at the point where she feels that she is married no longer, when her sister Josephine, "Louise, open the door . . . What are ...

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