Annotated Bibliography

Singh, Sakshi. "Book Review: ‘The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin.", 2021, 32-33

Singh claimed that the forbidden pleasure of freedom is one of the story's central themes

(32). Where it is evident in the story that Louise is a woman living in a society where her identity

and source of income have always been tied to men. The death of her husband opens several

thinking and curiosity for her to finally live for herself. Singh claimed that the natural brutality of

marriage is another theme of the story (32). The writer suggests that all marriages, even the

happy and successful ones are essentially cruel. The Story of an Hour is an extremely short and

yet emphatic story. It is one of the literary pieces that stay with you (Singh, 33). The "joy" of

seeing her spouse return from who knows where, unharmed and appearing unconcerned, kills

her. It makes you think and feel for this lady whose joy of having a life free of marriage literally

lasts for a few minutes.

In this review article by Singh, the character of Louise was described. Also, the major

themes of the story were elaborated and spotted by Singh. These major themes of the story

define and describe the main point and stand of the character of Louise who thought that she will

be experiencing freedom from the death of her husband.

 Annotated Bibliography

Berkove, Lawrence I. “Fatal Self-Assertion in Kate Chopin’s ‘The Story of an Hour.’”

American Literary Realism, vol. 32, no. 2, 2000, . 152–158.

Kate Chopin's thousand-word short story, "The Story of an Hour," has un- derstandably

become a favorite selection for collections of short stories as well as for anthologies of American

literature. Few other stories say so much in so few words. The story's protagonist dies tragically

and ironically immediately after she is released from a restricting marriage and realizes that self-

declaration is the core of her existence. Confidence in this story is vague for using the projected

standard, there is evidence of a deeper level of irony in the story which does not regard Louise

Mallard as a heroine but as an immature self-seeker and a victim of her own extreme self-

assertion (Berkove, 156). This self-assertion is accomplished not by reflection but rather through

"a suspension of intelligent thought" disguised as "illumination." As a result, a pattern of

fundamental inconsistencies and unusual attitudes arises that gives the story structure and

predicts its resolution. Making a logical characteristic between the story's narrator, author, and

unreliable protagonist is essential to understanding this deeper, ironic level.

Seyersted's early biography of Chopin describes the story neutrally as "an extreme

example of the theme of self-proclamation." More recent interpretation has largely followed a

strong, and at times extreme, feminist bent (158). Where, the character of Louise portrays the

image of a female whose ready and willing to face the fate of life even she’s alone.
 Annotated Bibliography

Holly, Jane, " “THE STORY OF AN HOUR” by Kate Chopin | Review". NUT FREE NERD.

2017. .1-5-

Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” tells of Louise Mallard’s entrance into and exit

from sudden independence (Holly, 2). Louise has an excitement of independence she has never

experienced after learning that her husband had died. Sadly, when she learns that her spouse is

indeed still alive, she loses this freedom. In a shocking change of events, Louise is the one who

loses the will to live and passes away as her husband enters the room. Though the death of

Louise’s husband granted her emotional and domestic freedom, it simultaneously condemned her

to societal imprisonment. Only in death could she truly become an independent woman.

The will of Louise to look and feel freedom was an obsolete feeling that she was looking

for even before. From a feminist perspective, women are being objectified because of their

weaknesses. This way, Louise used this the death of her husband as a way of taking the

opportunity to be free. However, this happiness that she felt is somehow the contradiction of

what happened to her.

 Annotated Bibliography

Robinson, Ashley. " The Story of an Hour: Summary and Analysis." SAT / ACT Prep Online

Guides and Tips. 2019. 1-6

Robinson revealed that the story of “The Story of an Hour” is a manifestation of the lives

of women way back in 1890s (2). A world where women are fighting for unprecedented rights,

the economic climate is unpredictable, and new developments in technology are made every

year. While this world might sound like the present day. Robinson also revealed that the story is

filled with opposing forces (4). Where the characters are experiencing doubts if she will move

forward or the taste feeling of surprise. The themes, characters, and even symbols in the story

are often equal, but opposite, of one another. Within “The Story of an Hour,” analysis of all of

these elements reveals a deeper meaning.

This article by Robinson revealed her analysis of the whole story as well as the reactions

of the main character or the protagonist of the story. She also mentioned the summary as well as

the connection of history to the ways of writing of Chopins. Lastly, she mentioned the revealing

elements of the story which corresponds to a deeper meaning.

 Annotated Bibliography

Willard, Johnson "Literature Review of “The Story of an Hour” By Kate Chopin."

GraduateWay, 10 Aug 2016, 1-6)

Willard identified Louise Mallard is the central character to Kate Chopin’s short story

“The Story of an Hour” and is offered to the reader as a reflection of the role of women in the

18th Century (3). In an instance, she was not able to freely express herself and be free from all the

things that she really wants to do. Also, Willard discussed that “The Story of an Hour” explores

gender-related issues including marriage, divorce, and female sexuality (4). Moreover, the story

shows the role of women way back in that time and how to cope with such issues and problems

from that time.

This article by Willard analyzed the role of women and how it is connected to the story

“The Story of an Hour”. Also, she elaborated furtherly on the feeling of women as to how

women react to certain situations, specifically on looking for their freedom.