"The Story of an Hour" is a short story written by Kate Chopin in 1894. The story revolves around a woman named Louise Mallard. In the very beginning of the story, Mrs. Mallard's husband is believed to be killed in a train accident. Knowing that Mrs. Mallard has a weak heart, her sister and a close friend have to break the news to her as gently as possible. When she is told the news, she instantly begins sobbing and retreats to her bedroom, where most of the story takes place. From here on the readers can see Mrs. Mallard's thoughts and reaction to her husband's sudden death.
             From the fourth paragraph on, the setting is now in Mrs. Mallard's bedroom. Rather than the expected feelings of sadness, agony, and much much crying, her attention goes first to a very comfy armchair and then to the window and the bright spring day outside. By this time, Louise is very exhausted and falls into the armchair. She shows signs of sadness, and realizes that this is a very sad situation, yet she sits calmly and looks out the window, observing everything that is going on: "The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves." She has stopped crying, and she begins to think as she gazes outside. Her thoughts come to her and she realizes, even though she tries at first not to, that she is now free. Her mind suddenly thinks of the years and years to come when she can be absolutely independent and free of a husband. It seems to me that Mrs. Mallard was not completely content with her married life. It does not appear to be a bad marriage, it is something that she tolerates, and is there only because she has to be. I think that rather than disliking her husband, she dislikes being a wife. Early 19th century wives weren't given many freedoms. Mrs. ...