Unhappily Married
What is marriage? A report conducted in 2015 suggests that marriage is not only a contract but also it is a social institution that unites a man and a woman in unique form of equal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family (Funk & Wagnalls 2015). In the short story “The Story of an Hour” Kate Chopin uses a female character to give readers insight into the perspective of how some women can view marriage. She also examines what marriage really means and how marriage can have a negative effect on an individual. She pushes the limit on independence and uses Mrs. Mallard to show readers how important freedom is. Was marriage the cause of Mrs. Mallard’s unhappiness? Mrs. Mallard so badly wants to escape from …show more content…
Mallard’s happiness is first questioned when she receives news of her husband’s death. Due to her heart condition, she is so fragile that her sister Josephine has to tell her the news gently. She first reacts with grief however when she is left alone with only her thoughts her reaction quickly changes from a grieving wife to an independent woman that no longer has to unhappy and married. Mrs. Mallard knows she should feel grieve from her husband’s death but mostly importantly the fear of how life would be without her husband but she cannot escape the happy thoughts she feels about her new found freedom and independence. Surprisingly, Mrs. Mallard is excited. She quickly realizes her new found freedom and starts planning her new life for herself as she whispered to herself “Free! Body and soul free (Chopkin 308)!” Mrs. Mallard attitude also changes from when she first is broken the news to her actions when she is asked to come out of the room as her sister feels that she will make herself sick and fears that leaving her alone isn’t the best idea given the news she just has received. Mrs. Mallard is described as having triumph in her eyes and an unwittingly look on her face when she finally opens the door (Chopkin 308). Furthermore, Mrs. Mallard shows no sign of sadness for her husband death. Mrs. Mallard first thought about her husband’s death was freedom. She evens goes so far to day dreams about freedom from him, the marriage and the new way of life
What is marriage? A report conducted in 2015 suggests that marriage is not only a contract but also it is a social institution that unites a man and a woman in unique form of equal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family (Funk & Wagnalls 2015). In the short story “The Story of an Hour” Kate Chopin uses a female character to give readers insight into the perspective of how some women can view marriage. She also examines what marriage really means and how marriage can have a negative effect on an individual. She pushes the limit on independence and uses Mrs. Mallard to show readers how important freedom is. Was marriage the cause of Mrs. Mallard’s unhappiness? Mrs. Mallard so badly wants to escape from …show more content…
Mallard’s happiness is first questioned when she receives news of her husband’s death. Due to her heart condition, she is so fragile that her sister Josephine has to tell her the news gently. She first reacts with grief however when she is left alone with only her thoughts her reaction quickly changes from a grieving wife to an independent woman that no longer has to unhappy and married. Mrs. Mallard knows she should feel grieve from her husband’s death but mostly importantly the fear of how life would be without her husband but she cannot escape the happy thoughts she feels about her new found freedom and independence. Surprisingly, Mrs. Mallard is excited. She quickly realizes her new found freedom and starts planning her new life for herself as she whispered to herself “Free! Body and soul free (Chopkin 308)!” Mrs. Mallard attitude also changes from when she first is broken the news to her actions when she is asked to come out of the room as her sister feels that she will make herself sick and fears that leaving her alone isn’t the best idea given the news she just has received. Mrs. Mallard is described as having triumph in her eyes and an unwittingly look on her face when she finally opens the door (Chopkin 308). Furthermore, Mrs. Mallard shows no sign of sadness for her husband death. Mrs. Mallard first thought about her husband’s death was freedom. She evens goes so far to day dreams about freedom from him, the marriage and the new way of life