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Lakota Murrell Jasara Hines ENC 1102 19 October 2015 Summary 1 “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

In the short story “The Story of an Hour”, Kate Chopin sends the reader on an emotional roller coaster full of sadness, loss, and happiness from the beginning of the story to the end. Chopin opens by telling the reader about a young woman named Mrs. Mallard. She tells the reader of a heart condition that ails Mrs. Mallard, creating a sense of sympathy for the character from the start. Chopin’s mention of Mrs. Mallard’s heart condition may be intended to foreshadow an event that will take place later in the story. Quickly, the emotional roller coaster takes off after Mrs. Mallard learns from her sister, Josephine, and a friend of her husband, Richard, that her husband has unfortunately died in a railroad incident. After hearing the news, Mrs. Mallard does what most people would do after hearing about the death of a loved one: “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister’s arms” (14). Chopin increases the reader’s sympathy for the character with this tragedy, and gives Mrs. Mallard some humanity. Retreating to her room, Mrs. Mallard sits in her armchair to grieve in private and reflect on her relationship with her husband. Physically and mentally exhausted from the news, she rests her head on

the back of the chair and looks out the window into the trees and sky, listening to the faint songs of the people and the sparrows while weeping tears of sorrow and remorse. Chopin goes on to explain the appearance of Mrs. Mallard, explaining that “she is young, with a fair calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even certain strength” (30). She then explains to the reader the transition from a young youthful woman full of life, to a woman lacking purpose entirely. As Mrs. Mallard sits in her chair, she begins to realize that, though the news is devastating, there is almost a positive side to her situation. She begins to recognize that she now has no one but herself to live for anymore. She is free to live for herself without the social bonds of having to consider her husband’s wants and interests when making decisions. Mrs. Mallard says “Free! Body and soul free!” knowing that she is now free to do what she wants. This understanding gives Mrs. Mallard the sense of joy and serenity that she so badly needs. After Mrs. Mallard makes this discovery, Josephine comes to check on her, thinking that Mrs. Mallard may be so distraught that she would inflict harm to herself. Mrs. Mallard tells her sister that she is not harming herself. Chopin explains that Mrs. Mallard was not upset. That, in fact, “she was drinking in the elixir of life through the window” (71). After the exchange with her sister, Mrs. Mallard goes downstairs to see Richard, and receives a great shock. As she is coming down the stairs, the front door opens and Mr. Mallard walks in, alive and well. Mr. Mallard explains that he was far away from the railroad accident. This news causes the reader to feel a different sense of joy and happiness for Mrs. Mallard, but that is quickly ripped away. Overwhelmed by the ordeal, Mrs. Mallard collapses and dies. The doctor’s autopsy reveals her to have “died of heart disease - of joy that kills” (86). The emotional rollercoaster created by Kate Chopin comes to an end with the reader returning to sympathy and even grief for Mrs. Mallard....