A Comparison of Two Short Stories by Kate Chopin, ‘The Blind Man’ and ‘The Story of an Hour’.

Kate Chopin, born in 1850 is the author of ‘The Story of an Hour’ and ‘The Blind Man’. She had a Catholic and affluent upbringing, and at the age of 20 she married Oscar Chopin. They produced 6 children and she devoted herself to motherhood. This marriage ended when Oscar Chopin died from swamp fever in 1883. Kate Chopin’s doctor encouraged her to become a career writer, and she published many works, where the theme was often controversial. Kate Chopin was interested in female emancipation, racial quality and the repressive aspects of marriage, which is shown in ‘The Story of an Hour’.

‘The Story of an Hour’ describes a woman’s mixed reactions to the news of her husband’s sudden death. Her feelings are very complicated, and Kate Chopin explores her thoughts and actions using symbolism, personification and metaphors. The story follows a leisurely pace, until the end, when the events become unexpected and condensed. The story is based around Mrs Mallard’s repre...