"The Story of an Hour" written by the American author Kate Chopin is a mainstay of feminist literary

study. Throughout this story, the author shows Louise Mallard's complicated reaction upon learning of
her husband's death.

Throughout history numerous symbols are perceived but the one that has caught my attention the most
is the symbol of freedom. At first, she does not consciously allow herself to think about this freedom.
Knowledge reaches her without words and symbolically, through the "open window" through which she
sees the "open square" in front of her house. In my opinion, the repetition of the word "open"
emphasizes the possibility and the lack of restrictions.

I was struck by the fact that Louise Mallard can see "patches of blue through the clouds". She observes
these patches of blue sky without registering what they might mean. Describing Louise's gaze, Chopin
writes "It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought.". If she
had been thinking intelligently, social norms might have prevented her from being so heretical. Instead,
the world offers its "veiled clues" that she slowly rebuilds without even realizing that she is doing so.

Chopin describes Louise's vision of self-determination. It's not so much about getting rid of your
husband as being completely in charge of your own life, "body and soul." Chopin writes: “There would
be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful
will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to
impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. ” The phrase men and women is an important key since
from my point of view Louise never lists any specific crime committed against her; rather, the
implication seems to be that marriage can be stifling for both parts.

Finally the irony is revealed when the doctors state that Louise "died of heart disease, of joy that kills". It
seems clear that her surprise was not joy at her husband's survival, but rather anguish at losing her
beloved newly discovered freedom. Louise briefly experienced joy: the joy of imagining herself in control
of her own life. And it was the elimination of that intense joy that led to her death.