Women's Rights in the 1940's Illustrated in Kate Chopin's The Story of an Hour

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In “The Story of An Hour” by Chopin illustrates the role of woman in marriage and in the society during her time. It demonstrates the issue of male dominance. There are some similarities and differences in the role of woman in marriage and in the community in 1940’s compared to the way women are treated today. And these are seen in the rights of women and in the responsibilities regarding family and marriage.

We read “A story of an hour” written by Kate Chopin. It is about a young married woman, Louise Mallard, who has a heart condition and a shock can kill her immediately. Her sister, Josephine, was careful not to upset Louise that her husband, Brently Mallard, died in a train accident. Louise cried and went to her room. However, Louise felt happy even though the situation was tragic. In addition, she realized that she gained freedom from a depressing marriage and from her dominating husband. Brently opens the door at the end of the story, and Louise was surprised to her husband alive. She was shocked and died because of a heart attack. Ironically, the doctor declares “she had died of heart disease--of the joy that kills” (Chopin). In the movie we saw, it was different. Louise was kept in the house because Brently is afraid that she might die or because he is afraid that seeing the world could give her an idea to rebel against him. Brently showed her many pictures, including their picture in Paris, and she always begs him to take to the gardens of Paris but he always refuses. Louise was made dependent to his father and Brently to take care of her.

In 1940’s, women did not have a lot of rights. They were denied in the politics and still had not allowed to vote. Chopin illustrated “Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart troub...

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...men are not discriminated anymore. Women are not expected to be just a plain housewife, taking care of her husband and children. They get high education and nice jobs with promising salaries. But, some women are still treated the same way they were treated in 1940’s. Paternalistic tradition still occurs in Russia along with other countries. This confirms that there are some similarities and differences for treating women in today’s society compared to the early days.

Male domination resulted to the denied rights and unequal distribution of responsibilities a husband and wife should do. Without women we wouldn’t exist. However, women are still believed to be weak, they are exploited and dominated by men. Although, this not true in always but we must agree that it is still happening today. As a woman, I hope that as time passes by this practice will be eliminated.

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