Many readers while reading narratives, tend to focus on elements of the plot; however, many writers utilize elements of the setting to show the progress of certain characters or events throughout the story. Kate Chopin is one of those author's whose usage of symbolic setting is displayed in the short story, "The Story of an Hour." The setting of the story, such as spring and the west, carries many symbolic elements that complement Mrs. Mallard's response to her husband's death within the story.
The season of spring in "The Story of an Hour" is a symbolic element of the setting that complements Mrs. Mallard's response to the death of her husband. Mrs. Mallard keeps herself holed up in her room when she first heard the news while gauging outside …show more content…
Mallard's room, the open window, and the front door are important, symbolic elements of the plot that further complements Mrs. Mallard's response to her husband's death. "When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone" (287). Her room represents Mrs. Mallard's inner sanctum. The closed door, although implied, represents Mrs. Mallard's private thoughts and ability to consider her own needs for once. She utilizes this time to separate herself, even from her loved ones. "There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable..." (287). The open window is symbolic of Mrs. Mallard's freedom and various new opportunities she has now that her husband is dead. The window is symbolic of Mrs. Mallard mourning her husband, in the beginning, to reflecting and realizing all she has gained. From the window, she hears the sparrows and singing, blue skies, fluffy clouds, etc. Mrs. Mallard welcomes all the years that now belong to her absolutely that aren't obstructed by the demands of another person (her husband). Additionally, the front door of her home represents the public world she must face. It is through the front door that her presumed dead husband enters through as seen in, "Someone was opening the front door, with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard" (289). The fact that there is a latchkey on the door, shows Mr. Mallard's ownership on Mrs. Mallard's outside life. The latchkey, in this short narrative, does the opposite of what it's …show more content…
Mallard's response to the death of her husband. In United States history, the west has been symbolic of freedom and the chance for new opportunities. Some even took it as a chance to "reinvent" themselves. "...the clouds that had met and piled one above the other in the west facing her window" (288). At this point in the short story, Mrs. Mallard doesn't realize how her feelings towards her husband's death would evolve as the setting of the story evolved. The west is almost foreshadowing of the new direction Mrs. Mallard’s life is taking. She now has a new sense of independence that was lacking in her life while her husband was alive. Mr. Mallard enforcing his will onto Mrs. Mallard caused her to miss out on certain opportunities that she never knew she needed. Looking out the window forwards the west, almost is like an epiphany to Mrs. Mallard because she is now taking note of what she's gaining rather than what she has lost in reference to losing her
The season of spring in "The Story of an Hour" is a symbolic element of the setting that complements Mrs. Mallard's response to the death of her husband. Mrs. Mallard keeps herself holed up in her room when she first heard the news while gauging outside …show more content…
Mallard's room, the open window, and the front door are important, symbolic elements of the plot that further complements Mrs. Mallard's response to her husband's death. "When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone" (287). Her room represents Mrs. Mallard's inner sanctum. The closed door, although implied, represents Mrs. Mallard's private thoughts and ability to consider her own needs for once. She utilizes this time to separate herself, even from her loved ones. "There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable..." (287). The open window is symbolic of Mrs. Mallard's freedom and various new opportunities she has now that her husband is dead. The window is symbolic of Mrs. Mallard mourning her husband, in the beginning, to reflecting and realizing all she has gained. From the window, she hears the sparrows and singing, blue skies, fluffy clouds, etc. Mrs. Mallard welcomes all the years that now belong to her absolutely that aren't obstructed by the demands of another person (her husband). Additionally, the front door of her home represents the public world she must face. It is through the front door that her presumed dead husband enters through as seen in, "Someone was opening the front door, with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard" (289). The fact that there is a latchkey on the door, shows Mr. Mallard's ownership on Mrs. Mallard's outside life. The latchkey, in this short narrative, does the opposite of what it's …show more content…
Mallard's response to the death of her husband. In United States history, the west has been symbolic of freedom and the chance for new opportunities. Some even took it as a chance to "reinvent" themselves. "...the clouds that had met and piled one above the other in the west facing her window" (288). At this point in the short story, Mrs. Mallard doesn't realize how her feelings towards her husband's death would evolve as the setting of the story evolved. The west is almost foreshadowing of the new direction Mrs. Mallard’s life is taking. She now has a new sense of independence that was lacking in her life while her husband was alive. Mr. Mallard enforcing his will onto Mrs. Mallard caused her to miss out on certain opportunities that she never knew she needed. Looking out the window forwards the west, almost is like an epiphany to Mrs. Mallard because she is now taking note of what she's gaining rather than what she has lost in reference to losing her