NAME : ASMA RAHMAN

ID :21222102060
Introduction INTAKE
SECTION
:54
:2
COURSE CODE: ENG 207
COURSE TITLE :AMERICAN
LITERATURE
The Story of an Hour:
(Themes)

.
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin is a short story about a woman,
Louise, who learns of the death of her husband, Brently. In a small
window of time, you see her inevitable grief and new independence come
to light. However, those new dreams of freedom are quickly dashed the
moment her husband Brently comes through the door. The heart disease
alluded to at the beginning of the story is given as the cause of her death.
But in truth, it's the devastating loss of her freedom.
The Story of an Hour Theme of Freedom
One of the clearest themes found in The Story of an Hour is the theme of
freedom. Once the grief of finding out her husband died passes over her,
Louise begins to realize that with his passing she has the freedom to live her
own life. You can see the moment this realization hits as she whispers, “free,
free, free.”
Louise’s Identity
Though Louise is hinted at being a very intelligent woman, she had no
control over her life and decisions because of the time period. If she were to
get a job, she would make considerably less than men and only have specific
positions available. Additionally, she was expected to complete specific
duties at home like cooking and cleaning. Therefore, she has no real identity
of her own. When she finds out Brently has died, the promise of becoming
her own person and gaining her own identity fills her with joy.
Role of Women
During the early 1900s, women like Louise were considered to be weak. This
weakness is further exacerbated by Louise’s heart condition. But it also works to
show you that during that time women should be passive, subservient and
unexcitable. Therefore, women had to try to mold themselves into this role, leading
many times to depression and other issues. The force from Louise trying to be that
person has made her weak and fear life.
Chopin shows how freedom is not a realistic dream in 19th-century society for
women through the way Louise’s dream is crushed when Brently walks through
the door.
The Story of an Hour Theme of Marriage and Love
The final theme found in this story is love and marriage. Louise’s marriage isn’t
completely loveless. You can see this through the way she cries and is devastated
when finding out he’s died. She also states it explicitly, “she had loved him —
sometimes.” Therefore, it wasn’t a loveless marriage that ultimately crushed
Louise, it was the shackles of servitude marriage brought with it at that time for
women. You can clearly see this in the line, “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.”
Themes of The Story of an Hour
For a short story, The Story of an Hour contains some powerful themes. From
commenting on marriage to the role of women, Chopin provides readers with a
clear message of women in that area.
The End
Thank You