Today, American women have very few boundaries. Whether a girl has a dream to be a doctor, lawyer, or a firefighter, she can achieve it (and does not need a man to accomplish this.) This, however, was not always the case. In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” Louise Mallard has just received news of her husband’s death. It is surprising how soon she comes to terms with this, forgoing most newly widowed women’s disbelief. After she cried briefly, a new feeling overtook her—a sense of new-found freedom. This hope for the future was short lived (literally), however, when her husband walks in unharmed. The irony of how Louise feels about the death of her husband highlights the subordination of women historically occurring, and the freedom one can receive from being released from the grips of marriage.
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Mallard finds freedom through the death of her husband. Originally, Louise’s sister was afraid the news of her husband’s death would be too much for her to bare, using “broken sentences” to get the tragedy across to Mrs. Mallard (259). The idea that Louise would be able to live without serving a man was something even her sister could not imagine. Surprisingly, Mrs. Mallard quickly composed herself when she was alone and a new feeling overtook her—freedom (260). Instead of dwelling on all the moments that are now lost, she becomes invigorated with the thoughts of a “long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely” (260). While a widow is expected to grieve, this widow has a hidden elation of her husband’s death. This displays a completely new way of thinking compared to the societal norm. During the late 1800s (when this poem was written) it was expected for a woman to marry a man when she was young and serve whatever needs he had. Some women were forced to follow this status quo even if they had no desire to do so, and if a woman did not get married she was looked down
Mallard finds freedom through the death of her husband. Originally, Louise’s sister was afraid the news of her husband’s death would be too much for her to bare, using “broken sentences” to get the tragedy across to Mrs. Mallard (259). The idea that Louise would be able to live without serving a man was something even her sister could not imagine. Surprisingly, Mrs. Mallard quickly composed herself when she was alone and a new feeling overtook her—freedom (260). Instead of dwelling on all the moments that are now lost, she becomes invigorated with the thoughts of a “long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely” (260). While a widow is expected to grieve, this widow has a hidden elation of her husband’s death. This displays a completely new way of thinking compared to the societal norm. During the late 1800s (when this poem was written) it was expected for a woman to marry a man when she was young and serve whatever needs he had. Some women were forced to follow this status quo even if they had no desire to do so, and if a woman did not get married she was looked down