Kate Chopin Contradictory Words

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Kate Chopin used contradictory words and phrases to describe how Louise Mallard is quite different than how she was expected to be during her time period. Chopin opens the story by informing the reader that Louise is “afflicted with a heart trouble,” and “great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.” From these statements, it seems as though Louise is fragile, and must be treated with great delicacy in case she were to break by hearing the news of her husband’s death. However, the exact opposite happens. After Louise exclaims that she is free Chopin describes Louise with lively actions and energetic thoughts. Louise’s eyes are “keen and bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood

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