In literature, literary elements characterize the main characters. This is seen in “The Story of an Hour” and the excerpt from The Awakening. For example, Mrs. Mallard from “The Story of an Hour” can be characterized as conflicted and confined. The first thing that learned from the passage is that she has “heart trouble” (Chopin, Kate; “The Story of” 626) , presumably heart disease. However, this also symbolizes her marriage. When she remarks that “she had loved him-sometimes” (Chopin, Kate; “The Story of” 630), it is revealed through dialogue that something is wrong with their marriage, possibly that she is being held down. Her powerful whispers of “[b]ody and soul free!” (Chopin, Kate; “The Story of” 629) show to the audience that she has
