Reidy 1

Stephanie Reidy Instructor Wright ENG 113-970 11 September 2013 Mrs. Mallards Heart Condition Mrs. Mallards heart trouble could mean that she has physical problems that could increase the risk for a possible heart attack or death. More probable during this situation, though, is that Richards and Josephine are more concerned about telling her of her husbands death because of the nature of the situation rather than because of an actual heart problem. Mrs. Mallards heart trouble is mentioned in the first paragraph for the reader to understand the reason why such caution was taken when Mrs. Mallard was told that her husband was killed in a train wreck (Chopin 67). Mrs. Mallards heart trouble is symbolic, but the events turned out that the way she responds is ironic compared to the expected reactions. Mrs. Mallard is very devastated when Richards, Mr. Mallards friend, and Josephine, her sister, tell her that her husband has been killed in a train wreck (67). When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone (67). After going into her bedroom and sobbing periodically, she begins to think of her new freedom (67). Because of this realization and the comparison between the view outside her bedroom window and her new free life, she is relieved. She acknowledges that her husband loved her; nevertheless, by looking into the future, she realizes that there is no longer a powerful will to bend her (68). She has her own will; she can live for herself. After feeling refreshed and ready to take on her new, free life, she comes out of her room (68). She clasped her sisters waist, and together they descended the stairs. But as they come down, they hear the latchkey click and the door open; it is Mrs. Mallards husband coming in. It is then that they discover that he was not even close to the accident; in fact he did

Reidy 2

not know anything about (68). Despite Richards attempt to block him from her view, she dies from a heart attack (68). She does not die of joy that kills as is stated in the story (68), but rather from her dreams of a free life being thwarted. This story is ironic in that Mrs. Mallard does not die when Richards and Josephine are more prepared for her to die, but she dies when are not adequately prepared or expecting it. After settling on the fact that her husband is dead, she is happier to know that she is now a free person; but since she finds out her husband is not dead, she dies because she realizes she is not actually free.

Reidy 3

Bibliography Chopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour. An Introduction to Literature: Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 16th ed. Ed. Sylvan Barnet, William Burto, William E. Cain. Boston: Longman. 2011. Print.