English 091
March 1, 2015
Short Story Essay
I. Introduction
Kate Chopin’s The Story of an hour is about a woman named Mrs. Mallard, who died from heart disease -- of joy that kills. She is in an unhappy relationship and feels as if she is a prisoner.
II. Plot Summary
She found out there was an accident at the railroad from her sister Josephine and Richards, her husband’s friend, and that her husband was dead because of the disastrous event. She was overwhelmed with emotions while tears crowded her eyes, so she scurried off to her room, where she locked herself in. While in the room, she fell back into a lavish chair where she sat lumpish in exhaustion gazing out of a window across from her. She then stared at the blue skies, out upon the streets and trees immobile in distress as she sobbed sporadically. While staring out into the blue skies one specific part of the sky caught her attention. “It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought (Chopin).” She saw something coming for her from the sky but was not sure what. She kept subtly whispering, “Free, Free, Free” after abandoning herself. Mrs. Mallard isolated herself to free herself from emotional and physical attachment she possessed from her husband.
III. Story Setting
When Chopin wrote “The Story of an Hour”, it was the mid 1800’s. At this time, there were multiple train wrecks and railroad blasting accidents. The railroad work was very labor intensive and dangerous so many unskilled laborers were employed. The story starts in a rather gloomy and dark way. “Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death (Chopin).” It all took place in Mrs. Mallard’s home on the second floor in her room.
IV. Character Analysis
Mrs. Mallard is the main character in the story. She is a bold character in the story. She goes from being shocked and depressed, to...