The Story of An Hour

The story is about the desire for freedom in marriage, and the bad end when that freedom is taken away.

Key Events

Gentle Telling

Josephine and Richards break the news of her husband's death gently due to Mrs. Mallard's heart condition. We can know that her life was restricted before.

sad

Mrs. Mallard weeps. It is a common reaction but we can see that she masks deeper emotions.

Reflection

She goes to her room alone after she sad, but she finds this is a key step for self-discovery.

Realization of Freedom

She starts whispering "free" repeatedly. From her physical state changes, we can know her self-awareness.

Vision of the Future

Mrs. Mallard finds a new future for herself, showing her new self-awareness.

Husband's Return

Brently Mallard returns and Mrs. Mallard dies when seeing him. It is because the sudden loss of freedom is too sad for her.

paragraph

"Free! Body and soul free!" she kept whispering. (Chopin 2)

This shows her realization of freedom by physically and mentally.

"There would be no powerful will bending hers..." (Chopin 2)

It shows her feeling in marriage and the importance of freedom.

Symbols

Mrs. Mallard's Demeanor Change

From sad to happy, it shows her change due to freedom.