story of an hour (Essay Sample)

Title Literary Analysis Name Institution Date Literary Analysis The Story of An Hour is a fiction story written by the legendary writer Kate Chopin in the year 1894. The story narrates the life and times of a ‘widow' soon after receiving news of her husband's demise through a railroad accident. The fiction is rich with literary styles and spoiled especially with symbolism and theme. Symbolism is defined as an artistic skill where a writer uses symbols and images to represent ideas, facts or natural objects. Symbolism gives whatever idea being represented a deeper and richer meaning, in makes it more interesting and realistic so that it can be understood easily by the reader (Burrows, 1987). This paper sets out to explore the use of symbolism and themes in the story, and its importance to the plot development. One of the places where symbolism was used is when the writer explains the manner in which Mrs. Mallard sat on the armchair. The writer details that the lady sat in her chair quite motionless until a sob came up her throat which made her act as a child who had cried till it slept while sobbing in its dreams. This symbolism compares the woman's manner of sobbing as that of a child. In this case, therefore, the child acts as a symbol for the reaction of Mrs. Mallard. The other instance of symbolism comes out clearly when the writer is explaining the incident after Mrs. Mallard decided to stand up from the armchair after absorbing the news. From the place she was seated, she opened the door and descended the stairs holding on to their sister's waist. The writer describes the manner in which she walks to the way a goddess of Victory walks. This is essentially a symbol representing the gracious manner with which Mrs. Mallard walked on her way down the stairs. Chopin explores several themes in her fiction story. One of the most dominant themes is the role of women in marriage. Women are considered objects of subjection and control in a marriage. When a woman gets married, she seems to take orders from their male partner. The role of women therefore becomes that of an underdog who has no freedom. The other theme that is explored in details is the oppression associated with marriages. The writer notes with concern that the marriage institution is marred with oppression, regardless of the amount of love the couples have. This idea is developed in Louise who seems to be very sad that her husband has died, while at the same time seems to be very excited at learning that her husband is truly dead. This is interpreted as the joy that came with knowing that she had finally been freed from the oppression she has experienced all through her marriage life. After marrying her husband, sh feels she lost control of her life and had to give ...