Mallard's Freedom
Freedom: “The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint”. Freedom and free will are all about one’s right to do what one wants without any barriers or obstacles in the way. It is a freedom of choice. This idea of freedom is a present and constant theme in “The Story of an Hour”, written by the exquisite author Kate Chopin, who uses literary techniques like point of view and irony, while using a historical and feminist lense to enhance the reader’s engagement and the story itself. The point of view in the short story is third person omniscient, enabling Chopin to tell a story through her eyes, but narrating Mrs. Mallard’s emotions and feelings. It is obvious that Chopin is telling the story in first
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This story was written in 1894, which in this time period women were not treated equally as men, so when Mrs. Mallard realizes that she is not restrained anymore she claims, “...free, free, free…” (paragraph 10). During this time women were not even allowed to speak of or about their emotions, and now, Mrs. Mallard was doing so. Mrs. Mallard found freedom that she never thought she had. It is obvious that once she is behind closed doors she feels free and proud like when the author writes, “Her pulses beat fast,and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body” (paragraph 10). She feels reborn and independent for the first time in a long time. She feels free from her husband and the life she had to live with him. Mrs. Mallards freedom is the main theme and a complex topic in the short story even though things get a little messy by the end. “The Story of an Hour” presents the wonderful idea of freedom to readers to further enhance their knowledge of the history and time period the story was written in and to create a great theme for the tale. The author Kate Chopin also uses techniques like point of view and irony to keep the readers engaged and on the edge of their seat. Chopin uses these concepts to magnify the story and the reader’s attention. Her impeccable narration and storytelling creates an enjoyable read for
This story was written in 1894, which in this time period women were not treated equally as men, so when Mrs. Mallard realizes that she is not restrained anymore she claims, “...free, free, free…” (paragraph 10). During this time women were not even allowed to speak of or about their emotions, and now, Mrs. Mallard was doing so. Mrs. Mallard found freedom that she never thought she had. It is obvious that once she is behind closed doors she feels free and proud like when the author writes, “Her pulses beat fast,and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body” (paragraph 10). She feels reborn and independent for the first time in a long time. She feels free from her husband and the life she had to live with him. Mrs. Mallards freedom is the main theme and a complex topic in the short story even though things get a little messy by the end. “The Story of an Hour” presents the wonderful idea of freedom to readers to further enhance their knowledge of the history and time period the story was written in and to create a great theme for the tale. The author Kate Chopin also uses techniques like point of view and irony to keep the readers engaged and on the edge of their seat. Chopin uses these concepts to magnify the story and the reader’s attention. Her impeccable narration and storytelling creates an enjoyable read for