Oppression In Kate Chopin

There are many forms of oppression in "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin. Not only does

Louise Mallard suffer in her medical and marital conditions, but she also poses a threat to

herself, as her sister Josephine warns. This danger is particularly noticeable, since all of the

action in the story revolves around Louise Mallard's preservation. Everything is orchestrated to

save her from any sudden and/or extreme distress. In the end, the equilibrium of her situation is

what survives: Brently Mallard's return signals the return of her oppressive condition and

ensures that Louise Mallard will experience no more than a momentary change in her situation.

It is this unchanging prospect--the preservation of her oppressive condition--that proves Louise

Mallard, or rather her circumstances, fatal to herself.

Culminating in the doctors' diagnosis, Louise Mallard is the subject of and subject to the

masculine discourse of the story. This masculine discourse, which finally pronounces her dead,

is fixed at the beginning of the story. She is introduced as "Mrs. Mallard" and referred to as

"she" for most of the narrative. Only when Louise has become "free! Body and soul free!" is she

addressed directly in the text and by her own name. But this denomination, as well as the change

it embodies, is short-lived. Louise's status as "wife" is reestablished at once in the story's