The Story of an Hour - Kate Chopin
While reading, "The Story of An Hour," written by Kate Chopin, you have to read it more than once or twice. The first time I read it, I was not able to pick up what I did the second time. Reading between the lines and the messages that Chopin gave the reader without actually stating it. Mr's Mallard's reacting and the time period this story was written, it made me think of what women were considered or even treated at the time. For example, back then women did not have the right that woman had today. With this being said, I only realized when Mrs. Mallard said under her breath, "free, free,free." She was happy, and relaxed, and maybe not at the same time. What Mrs. Mallard was feeling, was relieved, as she stared into sky, she was able to actually focus on the sounds, the scents, and everything that filled the air. She was feeling like this after receiving the news her husband died, before anything she was thinking of how her life would be long. The most confusing part to me was the ending of the story. It ends with, "she had died of heart disease -- of the joy that kills." At this point I do not know, if she died because she was disappointed he was alive or did she die because she was happy to see him?
This is where I ended up reading the story for a third time, I don't even think she was able to see her husband coming in. The scene where she and Josephine are coming down the stairs, is probably the part where she died before Mr.Mallard comes in. Reading it the third time carefully, I understood the ending, because she died knowing she was free and she couldn't handle with the happiness of living for herself now.
This is where I ended up reading the story for a third time, I don't even think she was able to see her husband coming in. The scene where she and Josephine are coming down the stairs, is probably the part where she died before Mr.Mallard comes in. Reading it the third time carefully, I understood the ending, because she died knowing she was free and she couldn't handle with the happiness of living for herself now.
I agree with your analysis! At first reading, I thought that Mrs. Mallard had died from a heart-attack after seeing that her husband was in fact alive. After reading the conclusion a second time, I realized that the new widow was infected by so much joy in finally being her own, that she died before even realizing that a false truth had been relayed to her. Makes me wonder, is death better than bondage?
ReplyDeleteI share your experience with needing to read it over a few times. I saw many different possible connections and am excited to write my short analysis paper.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your understanding as being one way to interpret this story.
I, however, believe that the wife had her new found freedom snatched away, as her husband walked into the house. This being to much to handle, due to her weak heart condition, she let out a cry, fell to the floor and died.
Does what we believe, regardless of the truth, have an affect on us?
Thank you for your blog Maria. I read it the same way Mark did. The shock of seeing her husband killed her. She was ready for a long life of being free free free... Body and Soul free. What I found interesting is that, in essence, she would be free in death. Also noteworthy is how men and women can interpret the story. I think this story is a great way to start the term and I look forward to everyone's elucidations.
ReplyDeleteI also felt the same way. I couldn't understand if she died because of the disappointment or because of the happiness. But the at least she had a sense of what freedom really was for a few moments, or in this case, her last moments.
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