“The Story of An Hour”

By: Kate Chopin

A feminist approach.

“The Story of an Hour” was written by Kate Chopin in 1984. It describes a

woman, Mrs. Mallard, who lost her husband in an accident but later the truth
came out, and the husband was alive. This essay will discuss the story of an hour
with emphasis on plot and development of the protagonist; Mrs. Mallard who goes
through contrasting emotions and feelings that finally kill her on meeting the
husband at the door and yet he had been said to be dead.
Mrs. Mallard's problem highlights the disparity in how women are written and
treated in comparison to their male counterparts, revealing a decided diversity
between genders. Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" is specifically suited for a
Feminist critique because Mrs. Mallard's problem highlights the disparity in how
women are written and treated in opposition to their male counterparts, revealing
a decided diversity between genders. It demonstrates that cultural norms in
patriarchal societies are dependent on biological chance rather than intellectual
ability. The behavior of Mrs. Mallard and her followers, as well as how they are
depicted, exemplifies diversity and cultural competence, emphasizing the
importance of fair and inclusive interactions. Mrs. Mallard is characterized as
having a weak heart, which adds to the story's premise that she is frail and maybe
dying.
Her comfortable chair is near the open window, where she comes to see the world
beyond her pane on a regular basis. Like a well-worn glove, the chair accepts her
body contour. She lets her guard down. Her mind, body, and spirit are physically
exhausted as a result of her husband's and their marriage's persecution. Louise
mentally transitions from "our" house to "her" house as she sits there (Perkins).
The trees outside tremble in response to her physical reaction to the awareness
that she is no longer repressed; everything is new, bright, and lovely. In the
peddler's shouts, the distant singing, and the birds, she can see and hear the world
beckoning for her.
She considered the future while alone in that room. She unintentionally reflected
about her life without her hubby. Apart from her grief, she began to count the
years she would be without her spouse. She saw a lot of possibilities and freedom
to pursue whatever she wanted with her life. She assumed that the future years
would be ideal because she would only have to care about herself. She even
wished for a long and happy life.
After some time has passed, she opens the door for Josephine, her happy sister.
They down the house's stairs, and Mr. Mallard appeared as he opened the gate.
Mr. Mallard had not been in the collision and was perplexed as to why Josephine
was so upset. Mrs. Mallard collapsed to death at the sight of her husband, Mr.
Mallard. Her death was attributed to heart illness, according to the doctors.
Mrs. Mallard was unable to control her emotions, and as a result, she died. Mr.
Mallard was most likely bereft of his wife, whom he had never cherished. He took
her for granted and now must deal with the fallout. The oppressor suffers a greater
loss when he or she oppresses a wife or another individual. Mr. Mallard had no
idea that his presence had murdered his wife, which is quite ironic.