The primary character in Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour", Louise Mallard, appears to be in great distress immediately following the news of her husband's death. It would be human nature to break down emotionally upon learning of such a great loss. This agony, however, seems to dissipate very quickly. The change of heart that Mrs. Mallard experiences in the hour following the disturbing news indicates that perhaps her grief was not as genuine as it first appeared.
             The first indication of Mrs. Mallard's insincerity is the mention that she did not hear the news as most women would, with absolute denial. She wept immediately, and it does not sound as if the crying carried on for any significant amount of time. Louise then insisted on being alone, and went to her room for reflection on life with her husband. It is in this reflection that more indications of the ingenuity of her grief are revealed.
             During her time alone, Louise realized that she could finally live and do as she pleased. The decisions that would shape her life from this point would be hers alone to make. This sudden realization of power seemed to immediately wipe away any feelings about her barely dead husband that may have remained.
             A final example of the insincerity of Mrs. Mallard's grief was the prayer she uttered for a long life. It was only the day before she had feared her life might last longer than she wished. The mention of this prayer is perhaps the best indication of the excitement she felt about the prospects of her new life. If someone was really that miserable, there would be no more exciting possibility than a second chance at a life of happiness. This opportunity would never be realized of course, but the believed death of Mrs. Mallard's husband allowed for an hour of contentment with the dreams of what may come with her second chance.
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