the story of an hour :: essays research papers

In Kate Chopins short story "The Story of an Hour," there is much irony. The prototypic irony detected is in the way that Louise reacts to the news of the death of her husband, Brently Mallard. Before Louises reception is revealed, Chopin alludes to how the widow feels by describing the world according to her perception of it after the " unspeakable" news.Louise is said to "not hear the story as many women have heard the same." Rather, she accepts it and goes to her room to be alone. Now the reader starts to see the world with Louises eyes, a world full of new and pure life.In her room, Louise sinks into a comfortable chair and looks out her window. Immediately the image of comfort seems to strike a odd note. One reading this story should question the use of this word " comfortable" and why Louise is not beating the furniture instead. Next, the newly widowed women is smell out of the window and sees spring and all the new life it brings. The descr iptions used now are as far away from death as possible. "The delicios mite of rain...the notes of a distant song...countless sparrows were twittering...patches of blue sky...." All these are beautiful images of life , the reader is quite confused by this most unusual foreshadowing until Louises reaction is explained.The widow whispers "Free, free, free" Louise realizes that her husband had loved her, but she goes on to explain that as men and women often inhibit eachother, even if it is done with the best of intentions, they manage their own wills upon eachother. She realized that although at times she had loved him, she has regained her freedom, a state of beeing that all of G-ds creatures strive for.Although this reaction is completely unexpected, the reader quickly accepts it because of Louises adequate explanation. She grows sore and begins to fantasize about living her life for herself. With this realization, she wishes that "life might be long," and she feels like a "goddess of Victory" as she walks down the stairs. This is an eerie forshadowing for an even to a greater extent unexpected ending.The reader has just accepted Louises reaction to her husbands death, when the most unexpected happens her husband is actually alive and he enters the room shocking everyone, and Louise especially, as she is take aback to death.