Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” is a short story that covers one hour of Louise Mallard’s life. Throughout this hour the main character, Mrs. Mallard receives some shocking news that is certain to change her life. In the story, the reader is able to see the effect that such new has on Mrs. Mallard and the attitude she has toward the situation. Will this change her life for better or for worse? The story points out the seriousness of women's oppressive lives during that time period and includes dramatic irony concerning the life and death of Mrs. Mallard. The contrast between what is predicted to happen and what actually happens forces the reader to really examine the characters.
Louis Mallard has a heart condition making sudden shocks …show more content…
As she descends down the staircase with her sister she is surprised to see her husband coming in the door. Once she realizes that he is not actually dead, she dies of a heart attack. I find it ironic that she did not have a heart attack when she heard of her husband’s death but instead died when she saw him at the front door alive. Kate Chopin seems to want the reader to think that she died because she was disappointed that her husband was alive. At the end of the story the doctor says that Mrs. Mallard died of “joy that kills” showing the reader that the other characters were completely clueless as to how Mrs. Mallard really felt. It seems to me that Mrs. Mallard died of shock because she had already accepted the fact that her husband was dead and convinced herself that she was okay with it because she would be free.
Above all, “The Story of an Hour” was a very well written short story. It grabbed my attention from the moment I began reading to the last sentence of the story. Kate Chopin does a great job at making the reader examine the characters and want to keep reading. She even surprises the reader with a major plot twist at the end of the story. I would definitely recommend “The Story of an Hour” to readers who are looking to experience an exciting, emotional and mind-blowing
Louis Mallard has a heart condition making sudden shocks …show more content…
As she descends down the staircase with her sister she is surprised to see her husband coming in the door. Once she realizes that he is not actually dead, she dies of a heart attack. I find it ironic that she did not have a heart attack when she heard of her husband’s death but instead died when she saw him at the front door alive. Kate Chopin seems to want the reader to think that she died because she was disappointed that her husband was alive. At the end of the story the doctor says that Mrs. Mallard died of “joy that kills” showing the reader that the other characters were completely clueless as to how Mrs. Mallard really felt. It seems to me that Mrs. Mallard died of shock because she had already accepted the fact that her husband was dead and convinced herself that she was okay with it because she would be free.
Above all, “The Story of an Hour” was a very well written short story. It grabbed my attention from the moment I began reading to the last sentence of the story. Kate Chopin does a great job at making the reader examine the characters and want to keep reading. She even surprises the reader with a major plot twist at the end of the story. I would definitely recommend “The Story of an Hour” to readers who are looking to experience an exciting, emotional and mind-blowing