“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin (1894) uses key literary elements and symbols to provide insights into life and death, marriage, and other topics. This is the story of a woman who, when she believes her husband is dead, seems more vibrant than ever and passes away upon learning that he is alive. The story occurred in the late nineteenth century when women’s roles were limited to the home, and they were supposed to be subordinate to their husbands. Using oppressive language, disease imagery, and the confinement of the main character to a window view, Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” emphasizes the theme of female oppression in a male-dominated society and ultimately reveals the lack of freedom and independence for women in marriage.
The author employs coercive language to express the protagonist’s sense of captivity and lack of freedom. The sentence “She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long” (Chopin 4). Mrs. Mallard, the main character, feels constrained and burdened by her marriage. The woman views life as a burden she must bear for a long time. The protagonist is dependent on her husband and has no control over her own life, as evidenced by her want for a long life. Understanding the use of oppressive language in the story demonstrates the societal norms of the time and the expectations placed on women in marriage. It depicts how women were supposed to compromise their freedom and independence for the benefit of their husbands and children.
The visual of captivity, especially the window-side view of nature and life, represents women’s lack of agency and independence in marriage. These passages in the book support this notion: “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life” (Chopin 3) Mrs. Mallard can only see a small portion of the outside world via a window, underlining her lack of freedom and home captivity. She cannot completely experience nature because she can only see the “tops of trees” (Chopin 10). The depiction of the window emphasizes the social expectations that were in place for women when the story was written. It highlights women’s constraints and limitations in their day-to-day lives and their lack of autonomy and agency in their marriages.
The story’s use of disease imagery emphasizes the toll that societal expectations and restrictions have on women. According to the tale, she was allegedly taking in an elixir of life through that open window (Chopin 6). Mrs. Mallard’s marriage has taken a toll on her because she does not feel energized and alive until she believes her husband is dead. The use of disease images highlights how repressive the prevailing societal norms were then. The negative effects of cultural expectations and restrictions on women are illustrated with imagery of disease. It demonstrates how women were expected to forego their wants and needs in favor of their husbands and families, which affected their physical and mental health.
People can better appreciate the strides toward gender equality if we are aware of the societal expectations and restrictions that existed when this story took place. According to this passage, Louise may have been miserable and oppressed in her marriage, but now that he has passed away, she may be able to start over. Chopin utilizes this to show how the institution of marriage restricted women’s lives and how being free from it can be both thrilling and terrible. It also emphasizes the significance of promoting gender equality and the ongoing fight for women’s rights. Understanding the concept of self-discovery is crucial since it stresses the value of uniqueness and personal choice. It serves as a reminder to be loyal to who we are and follow our paths instead of doing what others demand.
The story’s treatment of freedom is among its most important features. Louise is portrayed at the novel’s beginning as a constrained, restrained woman who feels stuck in her marriage. Her “dull stare in her eyes” and “lines of care” on her face indicate her unhappiness with her existence (Chopin para. 8). However, she had a moment of ecstasy and independence after learning of her husband is passing. She believes she can finally live without the restrictions of her marriage and on her terms. The issue of gender roles and societal expectations is a key subject in the narrative. Louise is supposed to mourn her husband’s passing and experience good grief for a suitable time. However, her response to the news subverts these notions and demonstrates to the reader that, at the period, women were not permitted to be autonomous or express their sentiments openly. They were instead required to follow cultural standards and values, which frequently inhibited their originality and liberty.
To understand the issue of female oppression in a male-dominated society, it is essential to comprehend the repressive language, employed in “The Story of an Hour.” It illustrates the lack of freedom and independence women experienced in their marriages and sheds light on the cultural expectations placed on women at the time the novel was written. Moreover, the analysis of prison and disease imagery should be operated to perceive the general atmosphere of female inhibition of that period of time.
Work Cited
Chopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour: Short Story. HarperPerennial Classics, 2014.