The Story of an Hour - Comments

I had to read this and take a quiz on it in my Intro. to Lit. class at college. As finnick. stated this was written in 1894 and Chopin was considered to be a very scandalous writer. To understand this short composition much better I'd suggest read her other works. It'll make more sense to you if you do. This was the time of arranged marriages and as stated below, Louise was more than likely in an arranged marriage, which basically means that she had no say in really anything. There's obviously no indication that their marriage was horrible by any means, she obviously doesn't feel free in her own home. There's a lot of symbolism in the story. The biggest one being the open window, which in literature typically means freedom. She retreats to her room to contemplate what has just happened. Although, saddened by the thought of her husband dying, she's not particularly overwhelmed with grief. She's more or less overwhelmed with a sense of freedom that she's never had before. Women at that time literally had no freedom. They were owned by their father then given as a sort of present to their husband. It's only when they've become widowed that they have any sort of freedom. As for the part where dies. I don't believe she dies from overwhelming sorrow. Instead she dies from overwhelming happiness. After studying this with my class and professor it was made known that many literature critiques would suggest that it's indicated in the story that she had a heart problem and was unable to bare children. Her heart was so weak that she became overcome with joy at the thought of freedom that she simply died. That's even stated at the end of the story. Either way, death was her inevitable freedom.

To answer your questions, you need to understand the setting of the story. Chopin wrote the story in 1894, so its safe to the story takes place around there, reminiscent of a period before rights were made available to women. Louise Mallard was more than likely in an arranged marriage, not an abusive one. This can be seen by the grief she at first feels after hearing the news of her husbands death. But after reflecting in her room she is able to identify with freedoms Mr. Mallards death offers her. She even admits her love for him, as one that would come and go. And now that she has awakened to the opportunities tomorrow holds for her she can feel relief. Ultimately she probably dies of sorrow, her freedom being taken away once again...but in her death she receives that freedom. A life after death free from the likes of men's bindings.