Summarize chopin's The Story Of An Hour - Essay Example

of A Summary of The Story of an Hour, by Kate Chopin The Story of an Hour, is the story of Mrs. Mallardand how she comes to understand her husband’s near death. In the beginning of the story, Mrs. Mallard’s sister Josephine, was afraid to tell her about the death of Mr. Mallard. The reason she was afraid was because Mrs. Mallard had a heart contention. Josephine was afraid that if she told her, Mrs. Mallard would have a heart attack. Instead, Mrs. Mallard felt joy and freedom at the thought that her husband was dead.

A friend of Mr. Mallard, Richards, had brought the news to the house; he was in the newspaper office when the news about the railroad accident came in. On the list of people who were killed in the accident, he saw Brently Mallard, Mrs. Mallard’s husband. He went to the house to tell her. Although Josephine and Richard’s feared that the news would kill Mrs. Mallard, the news made her happy. The more Mrs. Mallard thought about her husband being dead, the better she felt. She relished the idea and was getting used to it.

Just as she was feeling free, she looked out her window and saw many images that were also a sign of freedom. For example, Mrs. Mallard observed the impending spring rain, the songs of the birds, and the blue sky. Mrs. Mallard was happy for the first time in her life. She would not be under the thumb of her husband anymore and she would be able to live as she wanted. “Free, Free, Free” (par. 10) she exclaims, as a rush of that freedom washed over her while she sat in the chair. She was giddy from the thought of this wonderful freedom. Mrs. Mallard felt so happy that she cried and laughed at the same time.

She, nor her family thought that perhaps Mr. Mallard had not been on the train. When Mr. Mallard walks through the door, as though nothing had happened, Mrs. Mallard felt a sudden sense of shock and disappointment. As a result, Mrs. Mallard’s heart gave out and she died of shock. Works CitedChopin, Kate. “The Story of an Hour”. 1894. 04 March 2013. Web.