The Story of an Hour
The Story of an Hour The Story of an Hour, written by Kate Chopin, expresses thoughts of new beginnings and independence through Mrs. Mallard's eyes. Mrs. Mallard received the news that her husband Brently Mallard was killed at the scene of a railroad disaster from her sister Josephine. Brently's friend, Richards, first found out about the accident through the newspaper office where he then told Josephine the news to pass along to Mrs. Mallard. With the understanding that Mrs. Mallard has heart troubles, Louise and Richards bring the news to her as carefully as possible. Following the news, Mrs. Mallard locks herself in her room keeping everyone out. During this scene of the story, Chopin brings the reader closer into Mrs. Mallard's thoughts and feelings. As I read these thoughts, I got a sense of a new beginning or new chapter in her life. She kept whispering "Free! Body and soul free!" (Chopin, 251). But she also did love her husband "And yet she had loved him- sometimes" (Chopin, 251). Chopin's use of this sentence almost makes me feel like she did truly love him, but there was a catch. Chopin does not exactly carry out a love theme in this short story. Her story gives a taste of independence while adding a feeling of a new beginning. In other words, Brently seemed like an obstacle in Mrs. Mallard's life and as the news spread to her about his proposed "death" she felt that chain finally release, allowing her to be free and to create a new chapter of independence in her life. Kate Chopin, I believe, is trying to teach the reader that while there is time to mourn, you can't let that stop you from living the rest of your life. Life goes on and it is painful to move on from the death of one's spouse. But after a while you start to embrace your own independence and live your life to the fullest. She is trying to allow the reader to feel emotions that lead to the realization of having your own independence. Also I've noticed that people say that one's death is