In “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, Lousie Mallard has recently learned of her husband’s untimely death. As her family and friends try to accommodate for the impact of this news, Louise has a slightly different idea of how to mourn. As she locks herself in her room to think it all over, she begins to yearn for the freedom that this tragedy would yield to her. In the scene where Louise is alone in the room, Chopin utilizes symbolism and imagery to illustrate how Louise is forever chained to her old life, and will never truly be free.
Upon entering the room, Louise allows herself to rest easy in the comfort of a roomy armchair. Just like her life before the news, the armchair is something that will always be there relax her. However, since …show more content…
The reaction that comes with this sort of news can range dramatically from silent understanding to a full-blown meltdown, and Chopin works diligently such that the reader follows Louise for that entire ride. By depicting the yearning for freedom as a possession of sorts, it almost humanizes Louise, who seems a bit senile when acknowledging that she’s happy with the news. By drawing connections between the comfort of her old life and the armchair, it shows how integral these preceding years were in Louise’s life. No matter how much she yearns for freedom, she will forever be stuck in the indention that these years of complacency have created for her. When she does almost reach the freedom of the outside, the sight of her husband is enough to kill her, because it makes her realize just how chained to her old life she really is.
With the news of her husband’s death fresh in her mind, Louise Mallard is forced to deal with the emotions that race through her head. Although she longs for the beautiful opportunities that await her on the outside, she is forever chained the life she once had with her husband. Through symbolism and imagery, Kate Chopin gives the reader a front-row seat to the inner machinations of Louise Mallard’s mind. No matter how badly she wishes to move on with her life, she can never truly be free of her
Upon entering the room, Louise allows herself to rest easy in the comfort of a roomy armchair. Just like her life before the news, the armchair is something that will always be there relax her. However, since …show more content…
The reaction that comes with this sort of news can range dramatically from silent understanding to a full-blown meltdown, and Chopin works diligently such that the reader follows Louise for that entire ride. By depicting the yearning for freedom as a possession of sorts, it almost humanizes Louise, who seems a bit senile when acknowledging that she’s happy with the news. By drawing connections between the comfort of her old life and the armchair, it shows how integral these preceding years were in Louise’s life. No matter how much she yearns for freedom, she will forever be stuck in the indention that these years of complacency have created for her. When she does almost reach the freedom of the outside, the sight of her husband is enough to kill her, because it makes her realize just how chained to her old life she really is.
With the news of her husband’s death fresh in her mind, Louise Mallard is forced to deal with the emotions that race through her head. Although she longs for the beautiful opportunities that await her on the outside, she is forever chained the life she once had with her husband. Through symbolism and imagery, Kate Chopin gives the reader a front-row seat to the inner machinations of Louise Mallard’s mind. No matter how badly she wishes to move on with her life, she can never truly be free of her