Abren Pierre B.

Manalo BSED-ENGLISH III

Mrs. Mary Day Bayeta Literary Criticism

Direction: Critic The Story of an Hour.

1. Pick out at least five phrases which you think are especially important to the story.
 great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death
 she wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment
 said it over and over under the breath: "free, free, free!"
 Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhole
 she had died of heart disease--of the joy that kills

2. Briefly describe why you chose each.

 “great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death” – The
phrase signifies how women in the 19th century were expected to be delicate and passive. They were
almost seen as objects needed to be handled with extreme care.
 “she wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment” – Contrary to other women in that particular era
who become paralyzed when confronted by bad news, Louise showed a strong reaction which goes
against the society’s sexist expectations. Even though she wept, it implied her emotional strength even
with her current condition.
 “said it over and over under the breath: "free, free, free!” – Even with her weak heart, she disregards
her physical limitations and proceeds to demonstrate excitement over the sense of freedom she had
acquired after being widowed.
 “Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhole” – Josephine signified the
description of the society of that period. Josephine’s intention was pure, yet in her attempt to protect her
also meant controlling her and taking away her freedom.
 “she had died of heart disease--of the joy that kills” – The phrase ended the story in an intriguing note.
It showed that Louise died due to joy. Although feeling joy was a variable that pushed her to her demise,
its primary cause was actually losing that feeling after feeling it shortly.

3. What makes the story feminist?

The story takes place in the late 19th century wherein the society believes women to be inferior to men,
and viewed as “trophies” which should be handled with serious care. Louise Mallard, a woman with a heart
condition, signifies women and their hunger for freedom during the period.
The story is centered around the concept of female independence and its hindrances. Louise’s ailment
signifies how women are basically forced to become passive. However, she was able to break away briefly after
learning of her husband’s death. This signifies how women from the era can only acquire true independence at
the death of their husband. Even though she felt grief at her husband’s unexpected death, she shortly felt joy as
she whispered “free, free”.
Still, the conclusion implies how society from the period deprived women of their freedom. Josephine
begged her to come out as she felt joy for her newfound independence. This implies that not only men were
intervening with her acquisition of freedom, but also women who has already accepted society’s views upon
them and chose to be compliant.
Overall, there is no doubt that The Story of an Hour is feminist in all aspects.