Story Of An Hour Oppression

In the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, the author introduces us to the main character of Louis Mallard and describes the emotions the main character goes through when the news of her husband’s death is delivered to her. Mrs. Mallard reaction to her husband’s death is very unusual compared to the society’s standard, she feels a sense of freedom rather than the bleakness of being lonely. Later, when she learns that Mr. Mallard is still alive, the disappointment takes her life away. In this short story, Chopin develops the theme of a married woman seeking freedom and confinement during the time of oppression and how it affects the emotional and mental state of an individual.
Louis Mallard is contained in her marriage. As Chopin puts it, “The delicious breath of rain was in the air.” (Chopin 8) Mrs. Mallard is now set free from the relationship that was holding her down. Her husband is no longer there to command her actions and the sense of individualism is attained when she repeats the word “free, free, free!” (Chopin 2) However, “she had loved him—sometimes”. (Chopin 2) This means that Mr. Mallard was not a bad person, but an individual who believed in his right to interfere in every
Mrs. Mallard goes to her room “facing the open window” (Chopin 1) she thinks of the days ahead of her with many opportunities that welcome her with open arms. Suddenly, she goes back to think of the guilt “a monstrous joy” (Chopin 2) that resides within her, resulting from the happiness of her husband’s death. Reading further clarifies that her marriage was not a happy marriage but a bondage for both. Her poor heart is another sign of the stress she was going through. She could not come to believe that a person’s absence from her life can make such a positive change. But this was true, the ties had been broken and Mrs. Mallard is now, set