Story Of An Hour Literary Analysis Essay

The story of an hour describes several emotional stages that a woman undergoes after she learns about her husband’s death. The unexpected changes in her emotions lead the authors to view her differently as the story proceeds. Kate Chopin, the author of The Story of an hour, suggests that all human relationships, in this case the marriage, is oppressive, either intentionally or unintentionally, in its nature, and that the idea of freedom is forbidden, though people long for it. Her sophisticated characterization of Louise, along with her detailed explanation of Louise’ feelings, strengthens the author’s message. That Louise has a heart trouble is the first thing that the I learn about her. Because a person with heart disease cannot be shocked
The latter part of the story shows that Louise is well aware of the social expectation as well as her expected reaction upon her husband’s death. Yet, she cannot help but feel elated in the deepest part of her. Louise “[knows] that she will weep again when she [sees] the kin, tendered hands folded in death” yet “she [sees’ that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that will belong to her absolutely.” Louis will sob in front of others, just as all other women will, but when she is solely by herself, she cannot help but be excited by the upcoming independence. Louise is not a woman who merely hopes for freedom but one that knows how to behave according to the will of
Throughout the passage, Louise’s reaction changes from, rejection of the idea of freedom, to recognition of the pleasure, and finally to her desire to gain the forbidden independence. In the ninth paragraph, “she [does not know]” what is coming toward her. This sentence suggests that freedom is not offered in her life. The words “whispered word”, “escaped”, “slightly”, “under the breath” also hint that Louise is fully aware that she is not allowed to think about freedom. In the eleventh paragraph, Louise knows that “she will weep again when she [sees] the kind, tender hands folded in death”. Louise’s recognition that her husband is not oppressing nor mistreating put a stronger emphasis on the theme. Even though her partner is a kind man, she is still desirous of freedom, showing that a human being puts more importance on one’s independence than on another individual. The ending of the story, in which Louise cannot gain freedom while alive but utterly achieves her dream with death, puts forth the author’s message that people seek for freedom, but the idea of independence will only remain as a mere