"The Story of an Hour": A Feminist View

Book Review # 115563

Literature > American
Women Studies > Feminism
Women Studies > Marriage

A review of Kate Chopin's short story, "The Story of an Hour," from a feminist perspective.

848 words () | 0 sources | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses "The Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin, and shows how Louise Mallard is portrayed as a weak character suffering from her husband's masculine domination. The writer explains that the female oppression in the story is typical of its time, and describes how Chopin depicts Louise as finally experiencing her sensual nature and achieving self-realization only when she thinks her husband is dead.

From the Paper:

"In the beginning of the story, Louise is referred to as "Mrs. Mallard" and "she" for most of the narrative. This symbolizes her loss of identity under her husband. It is only when she becomes "free" that she regains her original identity and is referred to as "Louise." However, her old identity is reestablished when Mr. Mallard comes in "view of his wife." The return of her husband symbolizes the return of her oppression, suppressing her short-lived dream of freedom, ultimately causing her death."

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APA Citation:

"The Story of an Hour": A Feminist View (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Book-Review-The-Story-of-an-Hour-A-Feminist-View/115563

MLA Citation:

""The Story of an Hour": A Feminist View" 15 January 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://www.academon.com/Book-Review-The-Story-of-an-Hour-A-Feminist-View/115563>