A View of Marriage from “the Story of an Hour”

Chelsea Nunez-Padilla

Jennifer Strong

English 1102

October 1, 2015

 A View of Marriage from “The Story of an Hour”

        In “The Story of an Hour” we follow Mrs. Mallard through the thoughts she has after learning her husband has passed away and through these thoughts we see different themes develop. The main theme we see is the inherent oppressiveness of marriage. During normal circumstances after hearing a loved one has died, it would bring sorrow, grief, seclusion, guilt, and regrets, amongst other feelings. Mrs. Mallard does feel some grief but it is then followed by joy and a newfound freedom. In this story Kate Chapin uses death to symbolize freedom and joy rather then the usual, grief and sorrow.

        When the story begins we initially see Mrs. Mallard to be in distress  but she quickly goes to her room for relief. During this time there is an instant change in the atmosphere which reflects how she is feeling herself. The way she describes the day at this time shows how the day is turning into something joyous instead of gloomy, as other days might have been. “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly , and the countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves.” (236) This statement shows that Mrs. Mallard had been sadden from her husbands death but could not help but see the other life still around her. These were symbols of  a new life ahead of her        .

        During the time she is in her bedroom, she gets to think of the days that lay ahead of her. She thinks of the funeral day but then begins look passed this, and looks upon the days she would have all to herself. She thinks, “There would be no one to live for her during those coming year; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature.” (237) This seems to tell us that she lived her as her husband wished and not by her own. It also goes shows the oppressiveness she felt from being married. She views the marriage as an imprisonment and death has come to liberate her from it.