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Kate Chopin's "Story of an Hour" Analysis

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Kate Chopin's "Story of an Hour" Analysis
Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour Analysis
In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”, the main character, Mrs. Mallord, receives the news of her husband’s death from her sister, Josephine, and brother in law Richard. Mrs. Mallord grieves for a few minutes, but then starts to feel happy and hopeful about her current state. She tries to fight the feelings at first, but succumbs to them instead. She composes herself with her newly found hope only to be shocked with disappointment, Mr. Mallord is still alive. Kate Chopin’s use of setting, plot elements, and character development help make up a surprising new perspective of death. This story is set in the late 1800’s when women had few rights. The story begins with the three main characters all gathered downstairs in a public room such as the dining room, or living room. After the news is delivered to Mrs. Mallord about her husband’s death the story is set in her room upstairs where a chair is facing an open window. “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with new spring life” (Chopin PAGE NUMBER). The story exclaims that it is spring outside the window. Mrs. Mallord is the main character the story is based upon. The other characters are revolving around her, and caring for her throughout the whole story. Mrs. Mallord is the protagonist, for the reader is hoping for her happiness and that she can move on after the death of her husband. She is a strong willed woman being suppressed by society, but when she realizes the death of her husband could allow her to be selfish and live for herself she takes the opportunity. Mrs. Mallord wants to be free to think and live for herself now that her husband is no longer around. She is young and decides she wants a long life to herself. Mrs. Mallord is also a round character in the story. At first she is hurt by the news of her husband’s death, but then becomes happy and hopeful of the future. Mr. Mallord doesn’t reveal almost

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