Kate Chopin has long been recognized as one of the most important writers in early 19th century American literature. Her stories brought narration, guided at a time of classicalism where controversial themes needed a medium of presentation. Some of these themes were relevant to her own life. Many scholars have concluded that some of her short stories were inspired by her own experiences (Wolff 270). However, her short stories also had the intention of presenting a theme to the reader that is impactful and will last. Kate Chopin, in her short stories “The Story of an Hour” and “A Respectable Woman” explores the themes of Feminism, independence and also postmodernism. Feminism, and gender issues are key themes that Chopin uses in her stories
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It is clear to the reader that Chopin deliberately chooses the names of her characters to guide both the plot as well as her overall theme. In this story Chopin doesn 't reveal Mrs Barodas first name to keep her identity as a character static. Additionally, Independence is a central focus of this story. Many scholars would agree that Mrs Barodas attempt to reconcile the difference between identity and autonomy is a classic theme of Chopins stories (Wan). This reconciliation presents itself very clearly to the reader. In the story Mrs Baroda states to her husband in the end “I have overcome everything! you will see. This time I shall be very nice to him.” (Chopin). This shows that Mrs Baroda has made her decision but leaves the reader wondering. Mrs Baroda could have decided to live her life respectable to her husband or independently by committing an affair. Camfield writes “love, like all passions, deludes individuals in order to serve purposes that are fundamentally opposed to individuality (Camfield 27). This love is what Mrs Baroda must grapple with in the end. Ultimately, as Chopin notes she chooses her own …show more content…
As the title suggests, “The Story of an Hour” takes place in a literal hour. It follows the main character over a period of an hour as she processes emotions of grief, joy and death. Although these emotions are evident to the reader as they understand the story, the title is important as well. The title provides a guiding sense to the reader to help them understand progression of emotion. When Mrs Mallard hears the news of her husbands death she feels emotion immediately. Kate Chopin writes “There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it (…) she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air. (Chopin 9). Chopin uses this to show, in detail, the way Mrs Mallard in processing her emotions. It is clear from this that Chopin is stating that the rate in which emotions occur are more important than the emotions themselves (Foote 4). In “The Speed that Kills” Jeremy Foote writes, “Louise Mallard goes from devastation to euphoria to shock, all within an hour. Arguably, her death is more a result of how quickly her emotions occur, rather than the emotions themselves.” (Foote 88). This shows Chopins attempt to critique the speed of emotions and warn of a future in which technology is more relevant than the emotions themselves. Jeremy Foote
It is clear to the reader that Chopin deliberately chooses the names of her characters to guide both the plot as well as her overall theme. In this story Chopin doesn 't reveal Mrs Barodas first name to keep her identity as a character static. Additionally, Independence is a central focus of this story. Many scholars would agree that Mrs Barodas attempt to reconcile the difference between identity and autonomy is a classic theme of Chopins stories (Wan). This reconciliation presents itself very clearly to the reader. In the story Mrs Baroda states to her husband in the end “I have overcome everything! you will see. This time I shall be very nice to him.” (Chopin). This shows that Mrs Baroda has made her decision but leaves the reader wondering. Mrs Baroda could have decided to live her life respectable to her husband or independently by committing an affair. Camfield writes “love, like all passions, deludes individuals in order to serve purposes that are fundamentally opposed to individuality (Camfield 27). This love is what Mrs Baroda must grapple with in the end. Ultimately, as Chopin notes she chooses her own …show more content…
As the title suggests, “The Story of an Hour” takes place in a literal hour. It follows the main character over a period of an hour as she processes emotions of grief, joy and death. Although these emotions are evident to the reader as they understand the story, the title is important as well. The title provides a guiding sense to the reader to help them understand progression of emotion. When Mrs Mallard hears the news of her husbands death she feels emotion immediately. Kate Chopin writes “There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it (…) she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air. (Chopin 9). Chopin uses this to show, in detail, the way Mrs Mallard in processing her emotions. It is clear from this that Chopin is stating that the rate in which emotions occur are more important than the emotions themselves (Foote 4). In “The Speed that Kills” Jeremy Foote writes, “Louise Mallard goes from devastation to euphoria to shock, all within an hour. Arguably, her death is more a result of how quickly her emotions occur, rather than the emotions themselves.” (Foote 88). This shows Chopins attempt to critique the speed of emotions and warn of a future in which technology is more relevant than the emotions themselves. Jeremy Foote