Essay on the Death of Freedom in Kate Chopins The Story...

Death of Freedom in The Story of an Hour In Kate Chopin’s short story, The Story of an Hour, we are told that Mrs. Mallard, the main character, has a heart condition. Then Mrs. Mallard’s sister, Josephine, tells her Mr. Mallard died in a railroad disaster. At the end of the story, Mrs. Mallard dies when her husband suddenly walks through the door. The doctor says that Mrs. Mallard died of heart disease—of joy that kills (Chopin 27). Some people may agree with the doctor’s diagnosis, but I think he was wrong. I believe that Mrs. Mallard’s death was not because she was happy to see her husband, but because she was sad about the loss of her newly-found freedom. I also think Mrs. Mallard realized that love is not a substitute†¦show more content†¦The notes of a distant song which someone was singing reached her faintly, and the countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves (27). I do not know what kinds of feeling you get after reading those lines, but I feel happy, light, and relaxed. None of those feelings have ever been associated with the loss of a loved one, especially not a husband who is suppose to be connected to his wife in heart, body, and soul. Also, the reference to Mrs. Mallard’s room overlooking the treetops suggests, according to Josephine Rosenblum, that Mrs. Mallard’s freedom is ‘literally elevating’ (Fields 27). It is in Mrs. Mallard’s bedroom where we see the first signs of her freedom coming to her. While sitting in her room, Mrs. Mallard feels something coming to her, but she is unsure of what it will be. Her chest starts to rise and fall very rapidly. She also feels something starting to possess her and she knows that it cannot be stopped. Then, she said it over and over under her breath: Free, free, free! (Chopin 26). This is when Mrs. Mallard realized that she was free to live her life how she wanted to. There would no longer be an obligation to any other person; now she only had to please herself. Near the end of the short story, Mrs. Mallard is thinking about her future and how wonderful it will be. She is picturing all the wonderful days ahead of her that will be her own. She also prays that her life will be healthy and longShow MoreRelatedThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin1540 Words   |  7 PagesIn Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour†, the main character, Mrs. Louise Mallard, is a woman with a heart problem that gets horrifying news that her husband has passed away in a train crash. When she starts thinking about her freedom, she gets excited; she is happy to start her new, free life. However, a few hours later her husband walks in the door and she finds out it was all a mistake. When she realizes her freedom is gone her heart stop and she then dies. 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The end of her last hour comes when sheRead MoreThe Guilt that Kills in Kate Chopin ´s The Story of an Hour568 Words   |  2 Pages The Guilt that Kills â€Å"The Story of an Hour† (Chopin 353-354) by Kate Chopin, is a short story about a young lady, Louise Mallard, who has her life turned upside down in an elapsed time of an hour. Louise has just been informed of her husband, Brently’s, death due to a railroad disaster. Louise has heart trouble and this tragic news begins to take a toll on her. Louise’s sister, Josephine, is aware of her heart trouble so naturally becomes concerned when Louise starts to sob and locks herselfRead MoreLiberation And Freedom Are Exquisite Possessions. The Possible1698 Words   |  7 PagesLiberation and freedom are exquisite possessions. The possible accomplishment or loss of it can both cause the suitable amount of anxiety as revealed by the lead characters in Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour† and James Joyce’s â€Å"Eveline†. Mrs. Mallard and Eveline are standing at the threshold of a raw life story. The difference between the two is that whi le Mrs. Mallard is eagerly looking forward to her new found freedom, Eveline is deeply panic-struck from the thought of freedom. When the charactersRead MoreKylie Alexandra Fink. Mr. Broome. Honors English Ii. May1848 Words   |  8 PagesKylie Alexandra Fink Mr. Broome Honors English II May 17, 2017 The Thought Provoking Story of Kate Chopin â€Å"The Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin makes one ask themselves â€Å"why†. The story is a very thought provoking. It is about a woman, Louise, whose husband â€Å"died† in a train accident. When she finds out, she thinks of herself as free. Why would she be so happy when she just found out that her husband, Brentley, had died? She then finds out that her husband did not die. 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