Unveiling Freedom: Analysis of 'The Story of an Hour'

“Story of an Hour” Analysis Women are expected to get married to a man and follow his every order, even if that means living in his shadow, right? Kate Chopin writes about a woman who experiences this, but once her husband dies, she is given the sense of freedom that comes with being an independent woman. Even though most short stories don’t usually have any “beating around the bush,” they include many elements that can affect its analysis. “The Story of an Hour” may be short, but has many underlying details that add to the depth of the story. The theme is very popular in the media today, because feminism is becoming the new normal. “The Story of an Hour” uses plot, imagery, and tone to demonstrate that the joy of being an independent woman

In the beginning, the sad tone is effective because, as far as the reader knows, Mrs. Mallard loved her husband and is grieving his death. She even acknowledges that she will probably be sad later, but for now, she is happy and feels free: “She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death...but she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely.” Then, as imagery begins and the story takes shape, it takes a hopeful and joyous turn, which feels peaceful and makes the reader feel like Mrs. Mallard is finally free from living behind her husband. The phrase “free” is repeated several times, which makes the tone happy and joyous, and the tone change from the beginning becomes obvious. Both the imagery and plot help this section to feel almost dream-like. At the end, when Mr. Mallard enters, the tone shifts quickly to sadness, as Mrs. Mallard dies a tragic death. She drops dead once she sees her husband alive again, and she knows that all of her freedom that she held in her hands is gone. The only way to be an independent woman in this society is to be a widow, and Mrs. Mallard almost had that freedom, but she is so sad she

The imagery in the middle of the story lets the reader feel as if they were in Mrs. Mallard’s shoes, because it is so heavily detailed. This story’s plot moves quickly along with Mrs. Mallard’s thoughts and lets the readers feel as if they are in her thoughts, which gives the theme more dimension. The tone shifts often, which keeps the reader’s attention throughout the story. Though this is an old piece, the theme still applies to to society today. These elements add layers of depth to “The Story of an Hour” so that readers understand the theme even