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Symbolism In Kate Chopin's The Story Of An Hour

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Symbolism In Kate Chopin's The Story Of An Hour
Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” Mrs. Mallard’s thoughts throughout the story is unexpected and shocks the reader at every turn. Several symbols creates a feeling of comfort, wellness, and wonderfulness.
“There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul” (Chopin). The armchair symbolizes the opening the change and feeling of warmth and love. Looking at the window she sees the tops of the trees that “were all quiver with the new spring life” (Chopin). This shows Mrs. Mallard a new life to come and new things coming in her life. Then there was the setting of “delicious breath of rain” (Chopin). This refers to the calmness after a storm when the sun comes back out. The author is referring to the death of Mrs. Mallard’s husband and the new happiness of life because she was free of him. The open window she sees out in the world provides clear view in the distance and Mrs. Mallard’s bright future. The signs of spring she witnesses through the window are symbolic of her freedom and endless happiness.
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“Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death” (Chopin). In the short story Mrs. Mallard is described as having a “fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression” which is shocking because of her old age. The first paragraph informs about the heart trouble. The loved ones were so careful and cautious while breaking the news of her husband. Mrs. Mallard cries out “free, free, free” (Chopin). Her condition is longer an issue since her husband is dead. The short story had a amusement of irony over the whole story. She was known as Mrs. Mallard until her husband died then her first name was revealed. It seemed like there was a spiritual freeing of the

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