Mallard's Oppression

Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” focuses on Louise Mallard, the wife of Brently Mallard, who has just discovered that her husband has been killed in a railroad disaster. Overcome with grief, Mrs. Mallard hides away in her room for an hour reflecting on what life will become like without her husband. Once realizing that she is free from her oppressed marriage, Mrs. Mallard becomes elated. Upon discovering her newfound freedoms, Mrs. Mallard departs from her room only to find that her husband is still alive. Because Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” occurs during a time in which women’s freedoms were trumped by oppression, Chopin uses a series of symbols, and an omniscient third-person point of view to show that women longed to escape
Mallard death, Chopin shows the reader that Mrs. Mallard could not bear to abandon her new found freedom, and return to the life with her husband where she lives to satisfy him and him only. At the beginning of the story Kate Chopin informs the reader that Mrs. Mallard has “heart trouble” yet, lets it be known that she is young. When Mrs. Mallard gets the news that her husband, Brently, is dead she is frightened at the thought of being alone, "There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully” (Chopin 69). Yet, shortly after fear takes over Mrs. Mallard realizes she is free. The reader realizes her realization of newfound freedom through symbolism. “The story is set during spring, and Louise's "awakening" is symbolized by the rebirth of nature” (Themes).What occurs with the weather parallels what is occurring inside Louise’s head. While her short term grief occurs, the weather is stormy, but as she has her awakening the weather clears up. Imaging the future she will have now that her husband is out of the picture, Mrs. Mallard finally comes out of her room with gained selfhood and a strong sense of happiness. Unfortunately, Mrs. Mallard collapses and dies when she finds that Brently is still alive, and realizes that her happiness will indefinitely be taken away. Mrs. Mallard collapsing is just one instance in which the reader gets an emphasis on just how oppressive the Mallard marriage was. At the end the readers is informed that Louise
Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” is a cry for help from oppression. Sure women did not have to work, but eventually staying home, and slaving around all day got old. One might read this short story and think women had no problem with being oppressed because for example, at the end, doctors say Louise died from “joy that kills”, this last line is actually seen as ironic. “Physically, her heart was weak, and emotionally, it had no room for anyone else” (Berkove). By the time Mr. Mallard had come rolling in alive, Louise had made up her mind that, “she would live for