Literary Analysis Essay on The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin: A Tragic Tale of Louise Mallard's Heartbreaking Loss

Introduction

The short story of an Hour by Kate Chopin gives an account of the emotional frustrations that Louise Mallard is forced to endure immediately the news of her husband's death reaches her ears. The railroad disaster that is said to have claimed the life of Brently gives Louise Mallard more emotional pain. The story also narrates the effects of emotional pain whet Louise Mallard is portrayed to suffer from a heart problem (Berkove, 2000). The horrific news makes Louise Mallard lock herself out of emotions and mourn her husband. She cannot withstand her emotional pain and begins to feel a sense of exhilaration, making him yarn for free soul and body (Chopin, 1891). The report about the death of the husband offers Mrs. Mallard a new perception and feeling. As such, she feels she is so free to engage in any activity. Due to this action, Mrs. Mallard brings a conflict between her and society. Typically, in most society, it is the role of men to lead and direct other people on daily activities in the community. Women are mandated to engage in home affairs such as cooking and washing. Therefore, Mrs. Mallard's wish to be an independent lady brings some argument regarding women roles in society. Based on the Story of an Hour, are women liberated from a repressive marriage.

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The family conflict has been a major challenge affecting couples relationship. According to Chopin, Mrs. Mallard is highly oppressed by marriage. As such, she considered death an essential way to overcome the obstacles (Berkove, 2000). In this case, Louise Mallard endures another heart attack after realizing that her husband is alive due to her inability to withstand another emotional disbelief of her husband's fate. It becomes unfortunate that things turn to be worse and Louise Mallard dies out of heart attack before seeing her husband enter the house, a death that is attributed to the emotional pain she has been undergoing through (Chopin, 1891). In various occasions, Mrs. Mallard is trying to fight various challenges as was of improving her life. However, due to social role, she is restricted from engaging in some activity as it would violate rules. Therefore, when she gets information regarding his husband death, she thought that it is the best way to express her freedom (Jamil, 2009). Being a window was the only way she could gain power, money, respect, and other activities which married women are restricted. When a woman is married, she was not allowed to have any source of revenue; therefore, it was their responsibility of their husband to provide everything. Due to this concept, women were required to show men a lot of respect and observe rules regardless of the condition. In the 19th century, women could only gain power through inheriting from their husband. Mrs. Mallard had a chance to take all the responsibilities of the dead husband.

Development in technology has changed people perception. People have started changing some social believed. As such, some oppressed groups are seen trying to fight for their rights. It is Louise Mallard immature ego that he becomes a victim of his emotional suffering caused by extreme self-assertion and finally succumbs to a heart attack (Jamil, 2009. The death of Louise Mallard has fostered emotions and not rationality. As the story begins, Louise Mallard is depicted to be living a life free from any emotion and always wondered whether there was any need to live. Thus, the emotions are an illustration of a repressive man in her husband that smothered and finally killed her will (Chopin, 1891). However, Mrs. Mallard is perceived as a strong woman who has the ability to overcome challenges. She is seen as strong despite her husband death. Chopin says, "Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death." In this case, women are seen as strong enough to handle various activities that occur in life. Therefore, they can effectively be given various responsibility in society.

Women are highly associated with some weaknesses which affect their competence. Chopin explains that Mrs. Mallard suffered a heart attack after realizing that the husband had not died. Although she loves her husband, she felt that she could not continue with the condition since they were living in a male-dominated society (Chopin, 1981). Instead of welcoming her husband, she perceived that death as the best option. Mrs. Mallard only loves her husband because she was a human being, but not the kind of action he engages. In this case, women are associated with some weakness, which may affect how they engage in their activities (Berkove, 2000). According to Mrs. Mallard, marriage was a critical factor which hindered her development. As such, she was bold enough to live in the same condition. Therefore, she could be so happy if her husband would have died. It is ironical to see a person appreciating another person to suffer. After marriage, both partners are supposed to care and show love for each other regardless of their condition. Mrs. Mallard is influenced by material power, and hence, she does not like to see her husband back since she was prepared to take everything and become self-independent. Marriage is an essential factor which can be used to reduce the effect of this weakness, due to effective sharing of ideas among couples (Jamil, 2009).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of emotion, as depicted in this short story is an illustration of how female are liberated from a repressive marriage. Marriage has a critical aspect which restricts women from engaging in activities freely. Social has normal and principles which state that the man is the dominant power. Women are given minor roles, such as washing and cooking. Women use emotional to express their exploitation and restricted from expressing their wish. Due to lack of power, women think that death is the only option which can assist in acquiring their freedom. Technology development has changed people perception. As such, women are seen as strong women who have the ability to overcome some issues that affect their performance. Despite various restrictions, women are associated with some weakness, such as being some materialistic. If women are given a lot of freedom, his weakness may affect their relationship with other people. Therefore, marriage is a critical aspect which restricts women to express their will and enjoy freedom. If women are given a chance to experience their views, they can participate in various activities which may boost their living standard.

References

Berkove, L. I. (2000). Fatal Self-Assertion in Kate Chopin's" The Story of an Hour". American Literary Realism, 32(2), 152-158.

Chopin, K. (1981). The story of an hour. Jimcin Recordings.

Jamil, S. S. (2009). Emotions in the Story of an Hour. The Explicator, 67(3), 215-220.