A Bitter Sweet Tragedy/Sweet taste of Freedom
Vogue Magazine published “The Story of an Hour” in 1894, and was one of the first stories written with a provocative feministic theme. During this time, it was very difficult for women to have a life outside or without a husband. Consequently, many women fell into oppressive relationships, which made this a very relatable story for female readers of the late nineteenth century. In “The Story of an Hour,” Katie Chopin’s writing focuses on the narrator’s feelings after learning of the death of her husband and the liberation she feels because of it; the ending of the story provides dramatic irony showing the reader that once someone has felt freedom it is hard to keep them in captivity.
The story begins with Mrs. Mallard’s loved ones worrying about how she will receive the news of her husband’s death due to her heart condition. When she initially hears the news she has the reaction that anyone would expect a grieving widow to have; she is crying and inconsolable. This is clearly shown by the quote, “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister’s arms.” (115). At this moment she is still in shock because she just found out her husband was in a fatal railroad accident. However, as the story progresses and …show more content…
Mallard are unfolded to the reader as she, herself, discovers them. She has mixed feelings of sadness, freedom, and most importantly excitement for the future. When she finally comes to the realization that she feels liberated by the death of her husband she feels horrible, but that doesn’t discourage her emotions; “When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under her breath: “Free, free, free!” The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. (116). Once she knows for certain what she is feeling she begins to ponder the new possibilities that now lie ahead of
Vogue Magazine published “The Story of an Hour” in 1894, and was one of the first stories written with a provocative feministic theme. During this time, it was very difficult for women to have a life outside or without a husband. Consequently, many women fell into oppressive relationships, which made this a very relatable story for female readers of the late nineteenth century. In “The Story of an Hour,” Katie Chopin’s writing focuses on the narrator’s feelings after learning of the death of her husband and the liberation she feels because of it; the ending of the story provides dramatic irony showing the reader that once someone has felt freedom it is hard to keep them in captivity.
The story begins with Mrs. Mallard’s loved ones worrying about how she will receive the news of her husband’s death due to her heart condition. When she initially hears the news she has the reaction that anyone would expect a grieving widow to have; she is crying and inconsolable. This is clearly shown by the quote, “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister’s arms.” (115). At this moment she is still in shock because she just found out her husband was in a fatal railroad accident. However, as the story progresses and …show more content…
Mallard are unfolded to the reader as she, herself, discovers them. She has mixed feelings of sadness, freedom, and most importantly excitement for the future. When she finally comes to the realization that she feels liberated by the death of her husband she feels horrible, but that doesn’t discourage her emotions; “When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under her breath: “Free, free, free!” The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. (116). Once she knows for certain what she is feeling she begins to ponder the new possibilities that now lie ahead of