"The Story of an Hour"

Essay # 62538

English
Literature

Discusses the theme of freedom in "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin.

1,169 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2005 | United States

Published on: Nov 29, 2005

Paper Summary:

Freedom is a term that is poorly defined unless a person has experienced it firsthand. This paper describes how, in Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," the term "freedom" is embedded in her writing through the use of metaphors and symbolism, as well as in the actual text. The young protagonist, Mrs. Louise Mallard, has a deep desire for freedom that has been buried by her obligations as a wife. A newly realized freedom emerges as Louise explores what her life might be like without her husband. Ultimately and ironically, she uncovers a second freedom as her soul is freed from her body. This paper examines the central theme of freedom and how the author uses vivid imagery to arrive at the theme.

From the Paper:

"In the beginning of the story, Chopin points out that Louise is afflicted with heart trouble (Chopin, 1894, p. 188). This heart trouble could be taken to mean either her heart disease or, in the symbolic meaning of the phrase, her troubles with love. Chronic illness like a heart problem at Louise's young age is not something she would choose. Thus, she is trapped, in a way, with living with a disease that limits her physical activity. Here we first get the idea that Louise's marriage may be on shaky ground. The knowledge of her heart problems could also serve as a foreshadowing of the story's conclusion.
The story tells us that when Louise first hears of her husband's death, she weeps with "sudden, wild abandonment" (Chopin, 1894, p. 189). The use of the term "abandonment" suggests a former imprisonment, which, in this case, is Louise's marriage. For example, when Louise's husband arrives back home, he needs to use a latchkey to get inside (University of Michigan Fantasy and Science Fiction, 2001). Louise is literally locked inside her own house."