Athenaise Of An Hour, By Kate Chopin

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Recommended: Liberation in kate chopin's stories

The pursuit of independence has been a constant theme in Kate Chopin’s writing, through various themes depicting marriage and everyday life. Time and time again Chopin’s realism portrays this idea of yearning for independence, and it is prevalent with the story of Athenaise. Throughout history, liberation has been a virtue amongst many people, and Chopin has focused her story writing on freedom for women. While bringing light to this issue, Kate Chopin illustrates independence as a driving force in her storyline through women's hardships. Athenaise is a tale which touches on sensitive issues plaguing that time period, as well as the 20th century. Athenaise is depicted as a young naïve woman, who doesn’t understand the value of marriage. …show more content…

In the story, Chopin, references Athenaise struggle with her marriage with Cazeau. “She appeared neither angry nor frightened, but thoroughly unhappy, with an appeal in her soft dark eyes and a tremor on her lips that seemed to him expressions of unjust reproach, that wounded and maddened him at once.” Athenaise was not angry, but left in despair with her situation. Her freedom, as she felt it, had been stripped all because she was married to someone. Looking into different aspects of independence, The Story of an Hour, which focuses on freedom, relays back to the central theme of the pursuit of independence. Mrs. Mallard had been living a life which she no longer wanted. Wanting to be free of her constraints under marriage, she was relieved to find out her own husband was dead. The truth behind her happiness lies in this falsehood that marriage will help fix your problems. She discovered that this deception has caused this disillusion of happiness and security. Chopin puts a spin on the story, giving it a refreshing take on societal norms. For example, she relays the feelings of Mrs. Mallard towards her husband, very different than what a grieving woman would respond. Mrs. Mallard even says, “Free! Body and soul free!” This is said a

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