The privilege and freedom granted solely by living in 21st century America makes it difficult for one to imagine what life was like in the past. While not without issues of our own, it is still perplexing to think that there was a time in American history where women were not free to do and live as they pleased. Fortunately, literature has a way of bridging the gap between the past and the present and it allows us to go back and immerse ourselves in history. Author Kate Chopin’s work is no different; at a time when women struggled for equality and freedom from patriarchy, her proto-feminist writings – namely “The Story of an Hour" – provide a snapshot of controversial, unconventional women yearning to break free.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Life for …show more content…
The story opens on Louise’s sister Josephine and friend Richards trying to break the news of her husband’s death gently because they do not want to exacerbate Louise’s heart problems. Richards rushes over to be the first to tell her before a “…less careful, less tender...” friend can do so. In telling her about the accident, Richards and Josephine treat Louise as if she is incredibly fragile – apt to break at any moment. The irony here is that, upon hearing the news of her husband’s passing, Louise’s heart does not break. Instead, her heart beats fast and strong, pumping blood throughout her body and making her feel oddly at ease. Her reaction is different than what is expected of a weak woman: rather than becoming “paralyzed” with disbelief, Louise cries briefly before gathering herself and heading up to her room alone. It is up there that she thinks to herself that – for once – she is happy and excited about the long life ahead of her, a life without her husband. Ironically, upon seeing her husband alive, Louise drops dead and is granted the short life she had hoped for before she thought her husband had
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Life for …show more content…
The story opens on Louise’s sister Josephine and friend Richards trying to break the news of her husband’s death gently because they do not want to exacerbate Louise’s heart problems. Richards rushes over to be the first to tell her before a “…less careful, less tender...” friend can do so. In telling her about the accident, Richards and Josephine treat Louise as if she is incredibly fragile – apt to break at any moment. The irony here is that, upon hearing the news of her husband’s passing, Louise’s heart does not break. Instead, her heart beats fast and strong, pumping blood throughout her body and making her feel oddly at ease. Her reaction is different than what is expected of a weak woman: rather than becoming “paralyzed” with disbelief, Louise cries briefly before gathering herself and heading up to her room alone. It is up there that she thinks to herself that – for once – she is happy and excited about the long life ahead of her, a life without her husband. Ironically, upon seeing her husband alive, Louise drops dead and is granted the short life she had hoped for before she thought her husband had