Kate Chopin's short story "The Story of an Hour" discusses topics such as forbidden independence, oppression, freedom, self-fulfillment, and self-love. Louise, who is the main character in the story, is informed that her husband has died in a railroad accident. ... Louise heard the story like other women hear when they lose a husband, but, "She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance," (Chopin). ... Often she had not," (Chopin). ... The newly found independence has completely possessed Louise;...

• Word Count: 1871
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School