Detailed Literary Analysis: Kate Chopin's Story of an Hour

This essay provides a comprehensive literary analysis of Kate Chopin's 'Story of an Hour,' examining the themes of female oppression, the constraints of marriage, and the protagonist Louise Mallard's yearning for freedom. It delves into the societal context of the Victorian era, highlighting the limited roles available to women and the emotional toll of unhappy marriages. The analysis explores the use of literary devices like hyperbole to convey emotional intensity. The essay traces Louise's emotional journey, from the initial news of her husband's death to her realization of newfound independence. It highlights how her death is a result of the shock of the news. The essay concludes by reflecting on the story's enduring relevance in exploring the impact of emotions, both positive and negative, and the subjective nature of individual experiences.

Introductory Statement:
This story is about the oppression of women when they entered into a marital
union. The story revolves around the regressive nature of the institution of marriage and
the toll it took on the lives of the women who entered into such marital unions and were
perpetually unhappy with their state of affairs. They had to compromise on their
happiness and had to give in to the wishes of their husbands who tortured them for no
rhyme or reason. The story by Kate Chopin is about how the protagonist of the story,
Louise Mallard sought happiness when her husband had died as that was the time for her
to live and live for herself, unlike when her husband was alive. She used to live for him
and was guided by his wishes.
Transitional Ideas:
The transitional ideas provided in the story is that of the fact that finally the life
and happiness the protagonist of the story sought throughout her life, that was of freedom
from her oppressive husband who did not pay any attention to her happiness. The death
of the husband was a source of joy for her as she could enjoy the life she wanted after his
death.
Identify Author and Title:
The title of the story is ‘Story of an Hour’ authored by Katie Chopin in the year
1894
Basic Background of Text: One to two sentences
The story is set against the background of the late Victorian period.
Outline of the Story
This particular story is about a woman by the name Louise Mallard who had been
leading a tragic life as she was never provided the life which she desired for from her

married life and her husband. She was like most other women of the Victorian era, who
had a troubled married life, which was a matter of the social custom and norm. Louise
Mallard suffered from a troubled heart condition and any form of emotional upheaval
triggered by either positive or negative emotions could lead her to death. The story
revolves around the desire of Louise Mallard to seek freedom from her troubled married
life, which Kate Chopin had tried to project as the general reality. However the respite
from the troubled marriage was a distant reality for Louise Mallard and the only she
sought freedom from her troubled married life was by means of the death of her. The
tidings of the death of her husband had overwhelmed her with a sense of euphoria. The
story ends abruptly as Louise Mallard passes away as a result of the impact of the
prophetic tidings of the death of her husband, which leaves the reader with a sense of
confusion as in what exactly had freed Louise Mallard from her troubled marriage, the
death of her husband or her own death.
Literary devices used
The most profound literary device used in the entire story has been that of
hyperbole, or exaggeration. The literary device of hyperbole has been used to describe
mainly the emotional upheavals and the motions in the nature which were projected as
having an echo in the mind of Louise Mallard. The hyperbole had been projected by
means of making effective usage of the language and the imageries which had brought
about the emotions of Louise Mallard beautifully.
Thesis Statement:
“She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver
with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a

peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing
reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves.”
This particular extract from the story justifies the thesis statement that the death
of the husband was more of an opportunity for Louise Mallard to rejoice than be sad
about it as it was a ticket to enjoyment for her than of being mournful.
Topic Sentence: Identifies focus of the paragraph; should clearly connect to /
develop / support the thesis statement.
“Now her bosom rose and fell tumultuously. She was beginning to recognize this
thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her
will--as powerless as her two white slender hands would have been. When she
abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips.”
This is the basis of the topic sentence as it is reflective of the euphoria of the
woman on the death of her husband as she could lead her life the way she wanted without
any interference. The female
Examples from the Text: This can take the form of two to three short examples or
one extended example. Introduce Example:
“There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live
for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with
which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-
creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she
looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination.”

This particular quotation shows that the only way of getting respite from a
torturous husband was by means of being a widow. Perhaps that was the only way in
which the women could seek freedom from their torturous husbands. The social
conditions that existed during the late Victorian period were such that the living
conditions for the women were extremely hostile to their emotional well being and the
women were supposed to live the way their men, within the family and the society at
large. The desires of the women had to be contingent upon the desires and
conveniences of the men, which did not give the women to live their lives to the fullest.
Example: Use quotations from the text or briefly paraphrase an event. Do not just
summarize the plot. Avoid excessively long quotations unless necessary.
“She said it over and over under hte breath: "free, free, free!" The vacant stare
and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and
bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of
her body.”
In the story the protagonist Louise Mallard was overwhelmed by a sense of
euphoria which made it almost impossible for her to believe that she was free and could
take the control of her life unto herself. She was in a state of dilemma whether she should
be happy that she had become free or it was a dream. Her state of dilemma is reflective
of the fact that she desired her husband’s death, or at least a respite from the man who
had destroyed her life almost. However the fact that Louise Mallard was happy about the
death of her husband is very much evident. The happiness was more because she wanted
a life free of constraints and that she had achieved that after the death of her husband was
the reason behind her happiness.

Commentary: Follow example with explanation of its connection to the topic
sentence/thesis
"Go away. I am not making myself ill." No; she was drinking in a very elixir of
life through that open window.”
This particular quotation from the story is reflective of the inner joy of Louise
Mallard which she was experiencing on hearing of the demise of her husband. The sense
of euphoria was unimaginably high in her and she was in a state of shock. It was
unbelieveable for her that her predicament has come to an end and that she was free.
Closing Sentence: “Clincher” to end this paragraph and wrap-up the idea.
However, the real freedom that came to her was that she was freed from the bondage
of the difficulties of life and she faced her death. She suffered from a feeble heart condition
and that caused her to pass away as a result of the shock and the suddenness of the news had
killed her.

Topic Sentence: Establish that you have reached the end of the essay, perhaps by
echoing the idea of the thesis statement. Do not use the expressions like “in
conclusion” or “to sum up.”
Thus it becomes quite clear that the news of the death of her husband was indeed
a good news and that she was indeed quite overjoyed at it. The fact that she was
overwhelmed with a sense of emotion becomes evident from the fact that she died.
Suddenness of both good news and bad news can put people in a state of awe and
surprise.
Reflect on Your Ideas: Make it clear to the reader why your paper was important.
Stress what was unique about your interpretation. Give the reader something to
think about that connects to the world around.
This paper was important as it revolves around the impact of emotions on human
beings, of both positive and negative nature. The fact that emotions are subjective, what
is likely to cause pain to others can provide solace to others as well, has been very
meticulously explored in the story.
Closing Statement: Wrap-up this discussion of your topic. Let the reader know the
essay is at an end and leave him or her with something to think about.
The most important thing to think about in the story is the end. The news of the death
of her husband had overwhelmed Louise Mallard with a sense of joy and euphoria but she
could not cherish the enjoyment for too long as she had passed away as a result of the impact
of the news. This raises the question whether the death of her husband at all a good news to
her.