Literary Analysis: "The Story of an Hour"

As I opened the book and skimmed over “The Story of an Hour,” the first thing I noticed was how short it was. I did not think the story would be very descriptive or interesting because of it’s length, but that was far from the truth. The story expressed the emotions of women during the 19th century. When Mrs. Mallard is told of her husband’s death, she is first overwhelmed with tears. After the initial shock, she begins to see his death as an opportunity for freedom. This sense of freedom is expressed through the symbolism of the open window she stares through in the hour she believes her husband is dead.
As Mrs. Mallard looks out the window she sees all things associated with joy and happiness. I believe the window acts as a door to a new world. A world of freedom and independence for Mrs. Mallard. She dreamed of “spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own,” where her actions would not be controlled by her husband. 

I think it was very daring of Kate Chopin to write a story about a wife being happy about her husband’s death, especially during this time period. I am sure it was widely criticized by men, and secretly appreciated by women during the late 1800’s. The story opens readers to the possible mindsets of oppressed women during this time. Chopin’s story also introduces the thought of feminism and independent women. 

For me, the most moving part of the entire story was the last couple of sentences. For the majority of the story you are reading about Mrs. Mallard’s dreams now that her husband is dead, and in the matter of sentences, her husband returns home and she dies. It think the suddenness of her death shows her extreme disappointment now that her dreams for independence are gone. This story is very moving and at the same time, very controversial.