Freedom in the Story of an Hour Essay Example

Freedom clearly comes out from the onset of "The Story of an Hour" whereby the main character Mrs. Mallard grievously receives the news of her husband's passing on while at the same time looking forward to a freer life through "the years to come that would belong to her" alone (Chopin, 3). As such, freedom comes about through the death of her husband. In this case, her husband has been the obstacle in her quest for freedom. Freed; in this case is to live her years "absolutely" alone without anyone to guide her be it a man or a woman. Therefore, the story brings out the notion of freedom or its allusion in that it is short-lived and in the'send one is not set free. Freedom according to the story into absolute as Mrs. Millard contemplates. As such, thoughts of freedom by Mrs. Mallard do not materialize since her husband comes. The author, therefore, uses the various characters to further show the different meanings associated with freedom using women since most men in this context are leaders of their household and thus women have to follow their lead. In general, freedom is further brought about as affecting everybody, especially where she contemplates against the powerful will of both men and women in "imposing their "private will" on fellow creatures. Freedom and isolations are some of the meaning of the story in "The story of an Hour." The meaning of freedom in different cases associated with women in particular and society, in general, are further brought to the fore. The issue of freedom here is related to a person having a dangerous heart condition together with feeling oppressed through a will imposed on her. Freedom, in this case, is short-lived and incomplete in the process, a person thus enjoys it for a short time as shown in the way women, and men impose wills on other people as noted in the story by the author. In the process, freedom is timed and last only for a short moment.

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The receipt of the news by Mrs. Mallard further shows her long desire for freedom thinks of herself as being "Free, free, and free!" She had long yearned for freedom. This shows her state of affairs particularly having heart disease and at the same time being confined to her house. She was not allowed to venture outside and had less freedom in the process. Furthermore, freedom is shown when she quips that, the time without her husband "would belong to her absolutely." As such, the plot follows the freedom sought and its obstacles. Even though there is, much to grieve about Mrs. Mallard focuses on the freedom ahead and joy wells up in her regarding her newfound freedom where she will not be under the guidance of anyone. The issues of various things that can block freedom come about clearly in the story. The place of a woman in society further comes into play. Freedom greatly plays a large part as meaning in the story as can be seen in the way she responds to the news of her husband appearance. Mrs. Further contemplates on the supposed death of her husband, particularly where she thinks of the future, where she "would live for herself" (Chopin 1). In this case, through her words, she has been living for her husband and has not been free but rather confined. The confinement, in this case, brings about great resentment among such women. The story tends to focus on the tragedy that freedom does not come easily. Even though there was a hint of freedom at the start, there is a tragic end one the husband appears.

Moreover, the various characters like Josephine clearly bring build the plot particularly in helping bring out the meaning of the story which is short-lived freedom or freedom by happenstance. Having a heart condition at the same time received bad news demands the family member's cautionary antics in helping to provide the news. However, unexpected freedom to Mrs. Mallard because of husband's deaths makes her quite joyful. Josephine the sister further shows the shock and even depicts the tragedy that follows regarding the death of her sister. She releases a "piercing cry" after seeing Mr. Mallard (Chopin 3). The piercing cry was not for the death of Mr. Mallard but ironical in the sense that he was still alive. The piercing cry shows the end of the joy that Mrs. Mallard had and the fear that her sister had should she have seen Mr. Mallard which eventually happened and which led to her death. Josephine, in this case, lets out a piercing cry instead of a joyful noise. Her cry further signifies the end of the joy that her sister had developed. The doctors in a sense point to the great joy within her that led to the death of Josephine's sister.

Confinement is another issue that comes out in the story that further merges with the issue of a lack of freedom. As such, confinement means in this case that a person is not free to do various things without seeking permission from another person. Her death according to the doctors was partly because of "Joy that kills" (Chopin 3). Even though there is, no oppression on the part of the husband the wife further sees a great opportunity after hearing of the news of his passing on. Freedom on one part is that of the husband controlling the wife, having her do his will, and thus confining her to a life that she does not want as seen in the story. Freedom, as a result, becomes elusive as a result. Many individuals, in this case, may think they have freedom or they may not because of their place or part they undertake in the society. Freedom has many definitions. Though Mrs. Mallard dies, she is freed from her heart disease in the end.

Conclusion

The author in "The Story of an Hour" tends to bring about the issue of freedom particularly in its attainment and eventual termination. Freedom, in this case, is relative depending on the different circumstances people find themselves in. freedom can be quite a complex issue when many parties associated with a person's life are involved. Confinement brings about lack of freedom particularly in the case where women have to ben dot their husbands will. Freedom affects all areas of society particularly regarding what one can do or not (Porter). As such, people may think of how free they can be but in the end, they have to bear with the lack of freedom to do or attain certain goals or objectives regarding their desires.

Works Cited

Chopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour. Logan, Iowa: Perfection Learning, 2001. Print. https://jerrywbrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Short-Story-Collection.pdf

John Porter. What is Individual Freedom.JeffersonReview. 11 September, 2011. www.jeffersonreview.com/2011/09/what-is-individual-freedom/