Kate Chopin

A Book Review

Marfa, Joan, Trinidad

11 STEM C

Ms. Lileth L. Mendoza

Instructor
 The Story of an Hour, Book Review
She had died of heart disease…of a joy that kills. An iconic line that made the readers hook
with the situation of the fictional story entitled “The Story of an Hour” written by Kate Chopin.
The book tells the sudden entrance and exit of sudden independence of Louise Mallard for
throughout her life, she lives in accordance of her husband’s will. Louise is overwhelmed by a
rush of freedom she never felt before, having to receive the news that her husband passed away.
Unfortunately, it did not last long, having to find out that her husband is alive after all. Louise
does not have the will to go on anymore then she dies right after her husband walk on the door.
People may seem she died because of the happiness she felt when she found out that he is alive,
but it’s the dissatisfaction that kills her.

Having to read the story of an hour, it was a brilliant work of Kate Chopin, one can’t help but
feel for Louise situation and her surprising plight: she’s been subservient for so long that she
doesn’t know how to handle such an abrupt eruption of independence. How quickly her
thoughts change as she realizes what she has been suppressing all this time: the desire to live in
accordance of her own will. When you first read the story, on the beginning of the lines, it just
describes there that Louise has heart disease, the situation seems confusing at first, but, as you
dig deeper of the situation, you can actually understand the whole point of the story, the desires
and willingness of Louise to live freely in which Louise symbolizes the life of women way back
in that generation. For instance, it seems as if Chopin is showing a social situation of the times
with the woman as prisoner of her husband. People may feel sorry for Louise situation, having
no freedom to live and up to the very last moment, the feeling of having to be free just lasted for
a few minutes. Though the death of Louise’s husband granted her emotional and domestic
freedom, it simultaneously condemned her to societal captivity. Only in death could she truly
become an autonomous woman. Despite the fact that this story was written at the end of the
nineteenth century, it nevertheless remains so relevant today. “The Story of an Hour” reminds us
why it’s so important to keep talking about and fighting for gender equality.

Though it was a brilliant work of Chopin, the story could have been more creative if Chopin
added more suspense scenes. Maybe, Chopin could make Louise a really strong woman by
having her to really express herself by going out of that marriage, for her to fully express what
she feels and fight for her right in order to live freely, maybe then, Louise could really have
freedom. That could also be a stepping stone for the women way back in the nineteen century to
step up and spread their rights as women by having to read Chopin’s story. Chopin may exposed
the real situation of women in marriage way back before, but the lack of confidence on stepping
out to an abusive or being a prison to a marriage may not do the work to live freely.

Overall, “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin is a masterpiece, having to captures the
stifling feeling that can sometimes accompany being a woman, not to mention demonstrates the
frustration of constantly being at odds with one’s position in society. This story is an important
text that should be further emphasized both within and beyond discussions of feminist criticism.
The story is recommended for all genders of adults and teenagers, since gender inequality is still
one of the most controversial issues in the world. This story could enlighten each one us the
situation of women way back then, and why the society should not tolerate this kind of
inequality. We’re already in the twenty-first century, people, especially men, should break the
stigma that women are just women who are weak, cry-babies and should just stay at home to take
care of their children. Thus, women are way superiors than man, and up to this moment, women
still have to prove their selves to reach the society’s standards for them in which women should
not.