Glimpses of Freedom in The Story of and Hour

In the short story “Story of an Hour,” Kate Chopin takes us on a journey of discovery along with the Protagonist – Louise Mallard. Upon hearing about the sudden death of her husband, Mrs. Mallard is finally at liberty to experience long suppressed emotions – emotions that do not mirror the grief of a happy wife – as one would expect, especially her family and friends. In reality, she is a very troubled woman. In the end she never gets to walk in this newly-found freedom as her own life is, ironically and unexpectedly, cut short. Her family and friends never become privy to her feelings and are left to conclude she went to her grave in complete happiness.

After first absorbing the information of her husbands passing Mrs. Mallard retreats to be alone with her thoughts, “and would have no one follow her” (182). It was in there, away from everyone, when she began to illustrate why she never reacted to this poignant news with utter grief as expected. At first it was difficu...