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Birth, Life & Death In "The Story Of An Hour"

             An hour can be all these things and more. Mallard, in Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" an hour encompasses her re-birth, life and ultimate death.
             Knowing Mrs. Mallard has had cardiac problems, we find her receiving word from her sister, Josephine, that Mr. Mallard has been involved in a train wreck, and is listed among those " leading the list of "killed." Her medical condition has everyone concerned for her health, and afraid this shock may cause her undue stress, and although unspoken, perhaps even death. Her initial reaction is not unexpected, although " She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. There were tears, but they were not tears as one would expect from a woman who had just discovered he husband had been killed. " She wept at once, with sudden wild abandonment-.
             Although she doesn't feel her marriage is one dominated by her husband, she does feel the constraints which come with any relationship where two people have to work at compromise. Her thoughts on suddenly realizing she is free of these constraints almost borders on a release of bondage. " There would be no one to live for her during those coming years: she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime-.
             Love for her husband is not the issue here. She feels " she had loved him - sometimes. Often she had not." The death of Mr. Mallard has made her realize she is suddenly " Free! Body and soul free!" She is locked in her room, kneeling at the open window with her sister peering through the keyhole imploring her to open the door for fear " you will make yourself ill! What are you doing Louise?" Making herself ill? Not at all.


Essays Related to Birth, Life & Death In "The Story Of An Hour"

1. "Story of an Hour" Commentary

"The Story of an Hour- by Kate Chopin Commentary "The Story of an Hour- is a startling portrayal of a woman's awakening upon receiving news of her husband's death. Written in the 19th century, this was very much considered a feminist' story, as it harboured disapproving attitudes towards marriage. In the first sentence, readers were told that the woman was (Louise Mallard) afflicted with heart trouble, foreshadowing danger, fragility, and unwell-ness. Louise did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, but ... end to the plot makes the story satisfying. The constant irony through...

  • Word Count: 685
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

2. "Alcohol and the Body"

... life long damage. Alcohol affects the parts of your body that are controlled by your brain. BAC means blood alcohol contraction. If a person has two or three drinks in one hour, it affects most of the cerebrum, judgment, reason, senses, coordination, vision, and speech. This amount of alcohol affects driving skills. BAC is 10%. Four to five drinks, in one hour, affects the entire cerebrum, hearing and all of the ... above. BAC is 15%. Eight to ten drinks, per hour, affects limbic system, heart and respiratory rate, and all of the above. BAC is 40%. More than twelve drinks, in an hour, it...

  • Word Count: 1072
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Symbolism in Masque of the Red Death

... a sign of death. It's a symbol that death is inevitable. The clock is a constant reminder that death is getting closer and closer because it chimes every single hour. This clock had a way of pausing the whole party, music and dancing, and killing the enthusiasm of the party. The guests at the party had no way of stopping the pendulum from swinging and preventing that awkward pause in the party. Another important symbol in this story is Prince Prospero, as an all ... of going through the journey of life from birth to death. When Prince Prospero chases the Red Death, he follows that path,...

  • Word Count: 573
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

4. The Story of an Hour and Subordinate Women

... husband symbolizes a new life for Louise IV. Chopin uses irony for a unique ending to the story A. Louise dies at her husband's reappearance The oppression of women in the late nineteenth century is the predominant theme in Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour." Through the character of Louise, Chopin is able to illustrate the negative effects of living in a society in which women were ... subordinate to their husbands. This paper will examine how Chopin reveals this theme through setting, imagery, symbolism, and irony. Chopin is able to illustrate the small world Louise lived in by havin...

  • Word Count: 802
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Death Of A Slaesman

... examples of this throughout the play. One example is Willy's view that education is not as important as being good looking and well liked. He brought this point up while he compared Biff and Charley. During the 1940's and 1950's Willy's view seemed to be the general consensus in society. The emphasis wasn't put on education as much as it is today. The story seems to be an advocate ... his flaw causes his demise. The play also fits the time unity because it takes place over a 24-hour period. The play begins at night and it ends the following night when Willy takes his life. The play kind ...

  • Word Count: 997
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Kate Chopin: Life and Literary

... family life aside from death and births in the family. Chopin was enrolled in the Academy of the Sacred Heart at the age of 5. Shortly thereafter her father, Thomas O"Flaherty, was killed in a railroad accident. At this point, Chopin was taken out of the Sacred Heart School to study under her great-grandmother out of their home. Chopin showed an interest in writing ... journal she named the Commonplace Book, which she wrote in through-out her young life. On June 9, 1870, Kate O"Flaherty married Oscar Chopin of Louisiana in St. Louis. After a three month European honeymoon, the newlywed Ch...

  • Word Count: 1243
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

7. the story of an hour

... though relatives warned him not to. Oscar treated her as an intellectual equal and didn't seem to mind that she smoked, drank, and behaved as her own person. However, Kate's period of married happiness didn't last for very long. After giving birth to six children, Kate became a widow in 1883 when her husband died of swamp fever. Luckily, Oscar Chopin had been a successful businessman. That ... ironic. In Kate Chopin's short story, The Story of an Hour, many ironic elements are used to help the reader understand the fate of the main character, Mrs. Mallard. Mrs. Mallard is a woman who at...

  • Word Count: 4614
  • Approx Pages: 18
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

8. The Works of Kate Chopin

... 's past or his because of their social status, but the birth of Desiree's baby leads Armand to face his true self, without labels, just as the real world views race. Armand's reputable name gave his life meaning, but one drop of African blood found in Armand instantaneously flaws his honorable name to one of as little significance as his slaves.    During the course of the story, importance and repetition of numerous items being described ... give up when married. This story also shows how the views of a woman can change without restrictions. Mrs. Mallard viewed time differently after ...

  • Word Count: 1578
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

9. The Yellow Wallpaper - Feminist Theory

... control the wife Mrs. Mallard in the story. In the 1800's divorces were frowned upon and the wife had no say in anything. The only way a woman could own property and assets is if the husband died. Chopin experienced this in her life when her husband died in 1882. Chopin got to feel freedom and be independent after she mourned her husband's death. Chopin expressed what she was dealing with in "The Story of an Hour."" Both The Awakening and "The Story of an Hour- are ... were well known in the twentieth century but was rediscovered. Later the writings of many female writers in the 1960's ...

  • Word Count: 1250
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

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