Louise Mallard is described by Kate Chopin in her “The Story of an Hour” as a heart patient. The author wants her reader to note how the protagonist had a hard time bearing the information that her husband, Brently Mallard, had gone to meet his creator. However, Louise Mallard became happy after some time, hoping for a long life that she was looking forward to living. In other words, she is secretly delighted since she is now free after hearing the news that her husband had been killed in a train accident. She is full of a new desire forever, and even though she typically valued her husband, Louise Mallard appreciates her newfound freedom even more. Upon coming to know that her husband had not died in the train accident as those close to her had told her. Louise Mallard has an unexpected heart attack. This aspect, while inconsequential, does not outflow the attention of the discerning reader. While this story is a contentious feature—namely, Mrs. Mallard feels enthusiastic after knowing that her other half has died—the audience can relate to Mrs. Mallard’s state of mind and take care for her.
Louise Mallard is the central character of the short story. Additionally, Mallard represents a rather unwelcoming vision of a Victorian wife who is not satisfied. The author portrays her as young, frail, and fair, who has a weak heart. Those surrounding her work together to break the news of the alleged death of her husband gently.
The coexistence of different personalities is apparent when she cries and mourns over the receipt of his death’s news. And when she is out of everyone’s sight in isolation, her feelings and thoughts are different. She now considers the opportunities she would have. Subsequently, over time, the feelings of sorrow and mourning are overtaken by joy. She was now joyful upon her hubby’s death as it led to new routes of prospects. She now considers his death a blessing and independence from the chains of marital life. The feelings of grief, anguish, space, and joy exist simultaneously. However, the feelings of pleasure override as her experience of marital love is complex but ultimately disappointing. Kate Chopin mentions that Louise suffers from a ‘heart problem,’ indicating she was oppressed from the marriage. The description regarding this heart trouble is vague, suggesting the problem may be emotional and physical. When she is on her own in her house, she spreads her arms as a gesture to welcome her new life. She repeats “Body and soul free,” which shows her joy over her new independent and free energy. When Brently, her dead husband, walks into the house, the ‘heart trouble’ she suffers from resurfaces and kills her. The story’s ending is ironic; the doctor claims she died of joy contrarily she dies of the loss of pleasure, freedom and the opportunities she was set to explore. Her husband’s demise gave Mrs. Mallard a glimpse of a new life, and when that hope is gone, She is killed by shock and disappointment.
Kate Chopin tells her readers that Louise Mallard is elated to be free after finding out that the life of her husband has been taken away in railway carnage. “There would be no one to live for in those coming years. She would live for herself” (Chopin 307). Then she sees the husband coming to the house – the report of the death of her husband was not accurate. She dies after suffering from a “heart disease” (most likely a heart attack) after seeing him walking towards the house “When the doctors came, they said she had died of heart disease – of joy that kills” (Chopin 309). All of the events mentioned above take place in one hour. It is essential to note Louise Mallard’s mishmash of joy and grief. Although she is more happy than sad, Mrs. Mallard does mention that her husband loves her. The author tells us that she remembers that she loved her husband – “occasionally.” This appears to have been a marriage that is not abusive. The husband does not appear to have been cruel to her in any way or the wife to him. This shows that it was not so much this particular marriage that Louise Mallard appeared to be delighted after being freed from, but it is generally the marriage’s institution itself. In other words, the author seems to be criticizing the institution of marriage and how it oppressed women irrespective of how good the marriage was.
One of the factors of “The Story of an Hour” that is captivating – mutually repellent and fascinating – to the audience is that Louise Mallard is excited after receiving the news that her husband had been killed in a railroad carnage. She expects the likelihood of lastly having the ability to live for herself instead of or in association with her hubby. Instead of condemning her because of that emotion, the reader emphasizes Louise Mallard (Chopin 307). Although her husband does not seem to be abusive, the author wants her readers to understand that she was feeling beset in her marital life, and now, for the 1st time since she got into the marriage life, she feels that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. In other words, there is a likelihood of building her individuality and pinpointing prospects for her future. Her shocking death as the story comes to an end shows that to go back to a repressive marriage would not be tolerable after contemplating a life lived on the terms she anticipated; favorable terms.
In conclusion, Louise Mallard was a heart patient, and it was undoubtedly difficult for her to put up with the news of the passing away of her husband. Kate Chopin wants her reader to note how Mrs. Mallard had a hard time bearing the information that her husband, Brently Mallard, had gone to meet his creator. On the other hand, the protagonist became happy after anticipating a long life that she was looking forward to living. In other words, she is secretly pleased since she is now free after hearing the news that her husband had been killed in a train accident. She is full of a new lust forever, and although she usually loved her husband, Louise Mallard appreciates her fresh freedom even more. Upon realizing that her husband had not died in the train accident as Mrs. Mallard had been told, she has an unanticipated heart attack. This aspect, while inconsequential, does not escape the attention of the discerning reader.
Work Cited
Chopin, Kate. “The Story of an Hour.” http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/hour/
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