Kate Chopin's allegory 'Story of an Hour' captures the social restraints imposed upon women in the late 19th century, detailing the struggle for female independence and freedom. Utilizing both direct and indirect characterization, Chopin's short story contains themes of societal repression of women, emancipation from the patriarchy and the pursuit of liberty, and the perils of marriage and monogamy. Chopin's use of a myriad of literary techniques such as imagery and repetition highlight the protagonists character growth and serves to illuminate her moral dilemma in her attempt to stray from the 'powerful will bending' her inclinations.
Moreover, Chopin criticizes the rigid gender structures of femininity throughout her short story, rebelling …show more content…
Chopin immediately uses indirect characterization to mark Mrs Mallard as atypical. Stating that the protagonist didn't 'hear the story' of her husband's passing 'as many women have heard the same', the author seeks to showcase her disparate nature and is effectively foreshadowing what is to come. Throughout the climax of the text, Chopin moves from using an exterior perspective to describe Mrs Mallard to an interior viewpoint, giving the reader an insight into her private thoughts and feelings through further indirect characterization. Beginning to use imagery and repetition to characterize the protagonist, the repetition of the 'open square' and the 'open window' signifies boundless opportunities that are as yet unfulfilled. Likewise, the notion of 'spring life' connotes regeneration and rebirth, whilst the allusion to 'rain' suggests the washing away of the past, and is likewise linked to emphasizing the protagonists need for a new pursuit. However, these connotations are juxtaposed by the protagonist's moral dilemma, epitomized by her waiting 'fearfully' and her need to 'abandon herself'; having eventually done so, Mrs Mallard is overcome by a sensation that 'warmed and relaxed every inch of her body', signifying the overcoming of societal repression. The imagery of the 'goddess of victory' further reinforces the winning of liberty. Chopin works to emphasize that women should strive to break from suffocating domestication and embrace the world around
Moreover, Chopin criticizes the rigid gender structures of femininity throughout her short story, rebelling …show more content…
Chopin immediately uses indirect characterization to mark Mrs Mallard as atypical. Stating that the protagonist didn't 'hear the story' of her husband's passing 'as many women have heard the same', the author seeks to showcase her disparate nature and is effectively foreshadowing what is to come. Throughout the climax of the text, Chopin moves from using an exterior perspective to describe Mrs Mallard to an interior viewpoint, giving the reader an insight into her private thoughts and feelings through further indirect characterization. Beginning to use imagery and repetition to characterize the protagonist, the repetition of the 'open square' and the 'open window' signifies boundless opportunities that are as yet unfulfilled. Likewise, the notion of 'spring life' connotes regeneration and rebirth, whilst the allusion to 'rain' suggests the washing away of the past, and is likewise linked to emphasizing the protagonists need for a new pursuit. However, these connotations are juxtaposed by the protagonist's moral dilemma, epitomized by her waiting 'fearfully' and her need to 'abandon herself'; having eventually done so, Mrs Mallard is overcome by a sensation that 'warmed and relaxed every inch of her body', signifying the overcoming of societal repression. The imagery of the 'goddess of victory' further reinforces the winning of liberty. Chopin works to emphasize that women should strive to break from suffocating domestication and embrace the world around