An Literary Analysis of
If, in 2002, a young lady were told that her future and husband had been predetermined for her without her consent, she would most likely be very unhappy and probably try to escape the situation. Contrary to this, in the late 1800's, young ladies had to accept the fact that their marriage and future had been set in stone for them. In Kate Chopin's The Story of an Hour±, the main character, Mrs. Mallard, learns her husband has died in a train wreck. At first, Mrs. Mallard is overcome with sadness but then a new feeling of euphoria comes to her when she realizes that her husband's death frees her from the oppressiveness of the marriage. Mrs. Mallard's joyous reaction to her husband's death is justifiable when you evaluate the institution of marriage in the early 19th century. Chopin uses irony in "The Story of an Hour" to illustrate the problem relative to marital relationships in the 19th century. In the 19th century, many women were coerced into marriage not only because of love but also for social acceptance, tradition, and economic factors. This is the same for the protagonist of the story, Mrs. Mallard. When Mrs. Mallard first learns of her husband's death, sh
Mallard's reaction to her husband's death is excusable. The thoughts of spring imagery that soon follow, such as Mrs. Mallard realizes through her husband's death There would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself± (13). Mallard did not have the option of divorce so she was trapped into a situation that she did not find pleasing. Mallard to experience a newfound freedom that she had longed for. Due to the belief that her husband is dead, Mrs. Mallard, she begins to feel at ease: Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body± (13). After evaluating the institution of marriage in the 19th century, it is clear that Mrs. Mallard freedom is gained from her own passing. Mallard's death she would be as she describes body and soul free!± (14).
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