Mallard's Awakening

Kate Chopin’s,”The Story of an Hour,” is an ironic and symbolic story as it portrays an innuendo of repression through the example married women. Chopin’s short story begins with Mrs. Mallard becoming lurid as she hears of her husband's death. Consequently, Mrs. Mallard underwent changes from depressed to an elated state of emotion. Chopin displayed Mrs. Mallards’ grievances and attitude towards freedom through her diction. Just as Mrs. Mallard perceived that she gained her freedom, news was delivered to her stating Brently Mallard was alive. Without hesitation Mrs. Mallard died not only because her freedom was gone, but because she felt guilty when she happily reflected upon her husband's death. Presumably, the cause of Mrs. Mallard's death was heart disease, thus making Chopin’s …show more content…
Directly presuming Mrs. Mallards knowledge of her husband's death she states,”She did not hear the story as many women heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance” (Chopin, par 3). This quote from Mrs. Mallard exhibits her mixed emotions causing her to become conflicted between grieving for him or viewing the scenario in the optimistic manner as she is now free. As Mrs. Mallard continues to pace her room contemplating the situation, Chopin uses the inviting view of the world from the open window to quell Mrs. Mallard’s physical exhaustion; therefore, she realized the blue skies and trees were now solely reserved for her. Accordingly, the following symbolic scene suspended Mrs. Mallard in a deep thought to finally reflect on her position as she is no longer married. Her discovery concluded that she escaped the blanket of her husband's persistent will which furthermore compelled her to freely assert herself in this new world. Chopin affirms this as Mrs. Mallard, now known as Louise whispers,”Free! Body and soul free!” (Chopin par