Louise Mallard In The Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin’s, “The Story of an Hour” details the emotions of Louise Mallard in the hour following her learning of her husband’s believed passing. Just as one would assume, after hearing the news, she was overcome in negative emotions, however as the hour passes the emotions begin to change as the plot twist with dramatic irony. A story that begins as one about love suddenly becomes one as a quest for identity. From heartbreak, to a new beginning, and finally an ill fated death, “The Story of an Hour” is an emotional see-saw for the reader. The story begins by telling that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with heart trouble, which has relevance as the story progresses, and that her husband has passed. The severity of the heart trouble is not detailed …show more content…
When life of vegetation dies during the Winter, new life is born as Spring comes to surface. This relates to this story, for when the life she has known with Mr. Mallard is now over she can proceed to a new life without him. Kate Chopin furthers this claim as she states “But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought.” (Chopin 1). Mrs. Mallards thought have moved on from reflecting on what was with her husband and are now set on what lies ahead of her. Kate Chopin’s word choice, of displaying that her sight was set to way off yonder, could not be worded more perfectly to provide evidence that she was now starting on a new beginning and no longer mourning what was currently taking place. As we move forward we see word play such as free and joy that eludes to the emotions she now feels yet until Kate Chopin states “And yet she had loved him—sometimes. Often she had not.” (Chopin 1), we never grasp what she feels and that is that she is now free of Mr. Mallard and she is