Kate Chopin (Essay Sample)

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“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
While reflecting their role in the society during the twentieth century, many women in the literature domain are usually depicted as subordinate to their husbands and to the society in general. They are often portrayed at a level that is not only inferior to men, but also dominated by them. Regardless of whether they were dealing with their careers or spouses, these women in literature appear as mere characters in a male-dominated world. A critical analysis of the story presents the reader with a clear view of Mrs. Mallard as the protagonist searches for her own identity and freedom soon after her husband’s death. Mrs. Mallards’ case presents a classical example of how the feminist character triumphs over the traditional view of marriage setting in a male dominated society. The author allows the reader to follow the protagonist by getting into her mind, feelings, thoughts and emotions. This is accomplished through the adoption of a stylistic approach through which the author creates a connection between responses of literary criticism and the findings of linguistic analysis.
It is plausible that different images have been employed to present the inner conflict in Mrs. Mallard as well as the gradual recovery that she finally undergoes. The author is categorical that what the protagonist desires following her husband’s death is free, free, free! She vividly thinks about the coming days as all sorts of days that would be her own. This can only be achieved if she manages to get the freedom that she has desired for long. However, she only lives in this fantasy for just one hour as her husband is suddenly back. Following his re-surfacing, Louise suffers a heart attack that ostensibly ‘kills’ her. According to all other characters that surrounded her, Mrs. Mallard succumbed to heart disease, of the joy that kills. This is a precise instance that illustrates how Chopin makes excellent use of irony to drive her point home. The end has happened in the most unexpected way. The rest of the characters expect her death to be the result of receiving the sad news regarding her husband’s death. However, she has died because she has been denied of her freedom and the beautiful dreams.
As a constant image in the story, the plantation home represents the image of domesticity that demonstrates Chopin’s desire for the liberation of women who have been trapped in their private sphere. She dreams of the day when these women in the society will be able to air their voices. And portray their fears and delusions in this patriarchal society. Her echoes are elaborated further by Alison Kemper who states that many feminine activists felt that women ought to be set above, yet apart from, such a world. It is notable that the protagonist is reeling under the heavy burden of abuse and neglect by her husband. It is this mistreatment that precipitates her downward spiral into mental anguish. The author implies that it is not beneficial in any way for the women to remain in such states of naivety and stay on the receiving end of the abuse. She is categorical that women must devise ways that will free them from these depressing marriages that they had earlier mistaken as havens of love, care and happiness. As the women become emotionally and chemically imbalanced, they lose control of their steady mind frames and they slide into states of false perceptions. Kate Chopin is assertive that women have the ability to initiate change and regain confidence and self-control.
Mrs. Mallard movements in the house resemble social implications that impart a woman upon the death of her husband. Her husband is the only obstacle to her desired way of living. When alone in the bedroom, she has the chance to do what she wan...