In "The Story Of An Hour," Kate Choplin suggests that in certain situations, the death of a loved one may be a blessing or the marriage may be a prison sentence to some. Mrs. Mallard blatantly proves this in the story by dying after seeing her husband walk in the front door. .
Point Of View.
We experience the joy Louise Mallard felt upon hearing of her husband's death through third person narration.
Setting.
This story takes place in the 1890's around springtime inside the home of Mr. And Mrs. Mallard. The short story revolves around what goes through a person's head when informed that a close family member has perished. Mallard is a young married women who suffers from heart trouble, and that's why her closest relatives feel that they have to break news to her gently as possible. Immediately after hearing the news, Louise starts crying, and storms into her room. Since Louise spends the majority of the short story in her room, this the main setting of the story. "Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door-you"ll make yourself ill. What are you doing, Louise? For heaven's sake open the door".(574) No one really knows early in the story how Louise really feels about her husband dying.
Tone .
The tone of this story is serious, suspenseful, and ironic. "She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms."(573).
Symbolism.
"She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life".(574) In this story the time of year, spring, symbolizes a new life for Mrs. Millard. Spring is the season of the year where everything starts over, the trees blossom, the flowers grow, and everyone has a refreshed feeling. The same feeling came over Mrs. Millard after learning of her husbands death. .
Character.
The protagonist in the story portrays a wife who was unhappy in her marriage and she also has a heart problem.
