In “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin the author depicts the ideology of marriage in a negative view through the main character. This ideology ripples throughout the story, bringing to life the hardships and bondage that wives often unknowingly endured during the late 1800’s. The writer demonstrates this commonly unseen side of marriage through the use of three main literary elements. By using irony the author enables her audience to view marriage in an unconventional way for the time period that it was written in. In addition, by using the protagonist, as well as the transition of a new season, Chopin is able to showcase symbolism. Taking her use of literary elements further, she introduces allegory to illustrate death and the issue of women’s rights. Kate Chopin
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Obviously, the most easily ascertained allegory of the story is death. Death plays a huge role in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, and it is ever-present in the story. The allegory that is used to symbolize death enlightens the reader that Mrs. Mallard contrives a fantasy rooted in the center of her husband’s death; however, she herself is the one who dies because of the shock of seeing him alive. Instantaneous obliteration of the fantasy she had concocted in just a single hour was enough to kill Mrs. Mallard, “… she had died of a heart disease---of joy that kills” (Chopin 203). Chopin also uses allegory to illustrate the unequal rights of women. Mary E. Papke says, “Chopin seems to be saying, there lies self-oblivion if only the individual changes and not the world” (Papke 1). The author’s use of allegory works to further show that while this story was not perceived well when it was written, it allowed its audience to see the unfair treatment of women at that time. Chopin utilizes the allegories of death and equality seamlessly and allows the reader the full reign to interpret them any way they
Obviously, the most easily ascertained allegory of the story is death. Death plays a huge role in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, and it is ever-present in the story. The allegory that is used to symbolize death enlightens the reader that Mrs. Mallard contrives a fantasy rooted in the center of her husband’s death; however, she herself is the one who dies because of the shock of seeing him alive. Instantaneous obliteration of the fantasy she had concocted in just a single hour was enough to kill Mrs. Mallard, “… she had died of a heart disease---of joy that kills” (Chopin 203). Chopin also uses allegory to illustrate the unequal rights of women. Mary E. Papke says, “Chopin seems to be saying, there lies self-oblivion if only the individual changes and not the world” (Papke 1). The author’s use of allegory works to further show that while this story was not perceived well when it was written, it allowed its audience to see the unfair treatment of women at that time. Chopin utilizes the allegories of death and equality seamlessly and allows the reader the full reign to interpret them any way they