In the exposition of The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin, the character of Louise Mallard, the protagonist of the story, is introduced. The reader sees her through both the reactions of others around her and her own reaction to the sudden death of her husband. Both her sister, Josephine, and the family friend, Richard, are concerned about how the sad news will affect Louise and are equally fearful for her heart condition. Josephine's delivery of the news is described as "in broken sentences", "veiled hints", in half concealing". Richard, who "hastened" to the Mallard's house, is described as "careful" and "tender". An impression of fragility and physical fraility is directly established. It is reinforced by the writer's choice of Mrs. Mallard's name which sounds like "sick" or "ill" in French. But there is more to Josephine and Richard's concern than meets the eye. Louise is introduced as Mrs. Mallard, her marital condition is immediately stressed. Like many Victorian married women, Mrs. Mallard is apparently seen by the society of relatives and friends as a helpless creature, delicate and timid. But Louise is different from many women of her time, "she cried at once" with "wild abandonment". She is shocked. Her grief, which is likened to a "storm", is real and, most importantly, uncontrollable. Louise is apparently unconventional and of passionate nature. Her heart trouble, therefore, might be a psychological condition rather than a physical defect. Her feelings are also spontaneous and honest despite the repressive codes of her Victorian society. Her fragility and helplessness established at the beginning of the story are therefor somehow quite deceptive. As the story unfolds with the rising of the action, the reader's expectations are to be overturned. .
