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Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour is feminist and tragic. At the same time, the story is very unpredictable for both the reader and the characters. The author recounts one hour in the life of Louise Mallard after she learns of the death of her husband, Brently Mallard. Thus, the central theme of the story is the oppression and restriction of womens freedom by men.
The story begins with Louises sister and family friend informing Louise of her husbands death in a railroad disaster. At the same time, it seems that this news will devastate Louise. Nevertheless, Louise realizes that with the death of her husband, she finally gained freedom. Entering a room, Louise sees the open square before her house, feels the delicious breath of rain, and hears countless sparrows twittering in the eaves (Chopin para. 5). She realizes that her grief has not yet passed, and the author even says that Louise sometimes loved her husband. However, the main character realizes she has years that would belong to her absolutely (Chopin para. 11). She finally admits her freedom and begins planning for her future.
This story is tragic and paradoxical since it begins with the news of the death of Brently, but it is Louise who dies at the end. The main character believed in her freedom so much and was carried away by it that her husbands return home was a mortal blow for her. The doctors said she had died of heart disease, and probably Brently, Josephine, and Richard thought the joy that kills was her husbands return (Chopin para. 20). However, it is obvious to the reader that this joy was the anticipation of freedom, which Louise was not destined to receive.
Thus, The Story of an Hour is a feminist novel that depicts the restriction of womens freedom by men. Even though this topic is not new in the literature, the author demonstrates that society and women are so used to it that they do not think about what a womans life can be like without a husband. With the help of symbols, Chopin vividly describes the gradual realization of a woman that her life belongs to her. Louises joy is not the death of her husband but the opportunity to independently manage her life. Moreover, having felt freedom, a woman no longer wants to live without her, and the storys tragic ending confirms this.
Work Cited
Chopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour. American Literature, Web.
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