The aspirations and expectations of freedom can lead to both
             overwhelming revelations and melancholy destruction. In Kate
             Chopin's " The Story of an Hour" Louise Mallard is stricken
             with the news of her husband's "death" and soon lead to new
             found glory of her freedom and then complete catastrophe in
             the death of herself. Chopin's use of irony and the
             fluctuation in tone present the idea that freedom can be
             given or taken away without question and can kill without
             After learning of her husband's death in a
             railroad disaster, Mrs. Mallard sinks into a deep state of
             grief, as one would be expected to do upon receiving such
             news. "She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in
             her sister's arm's", shows that the tone was of despair and
             heartache. Though, as the sights and sounds of spring reveal
             themselves through the window, the tone dramatically changes
             to a tasteful, newfound youth. The thoughts of "delicious
             breath of rain" or "notes of a distant song" bring the
             feeling of livelihood to one. Then, the words "Free, free,
             free!", express Mrs. Mallard's realization that her life
             from now on is her own, and will not be succumbed to the
             needs and wishes of her husband. Her pulse increases and her
             chest rises with fervor, as she "recognizes this thing that
             was approaching to posses her", which depicts how the tone,
             once again is about to change. She has now found a new
             desire for life. However, without warning, the tone abruptly
             reverts back to its grief stricken " horror." As Mr. Mallard
             walks in the door, her thoughts, dreams, and aspirations,
             quickly fade away. Louise's heart, so weak, simply stops and
             all bliss transfers into extreme heartache. The drastic
             changes of tone reveals that freedom can be given and taken
             from someone in a heartbeat and the he...