CriticalEssayon

The short story, “The Story of an Hour”, was a story meant to show how the effects of oppression by men over women led to the freedom and inevitable death of Louise Mallard. The name of “The Story of an Hour” was used because Mrs. Mallard’s realization of her freedom all takes place within one hour. Author Kate Chopin wrote the story in 1894 during a time in which women’s suffrage was just beginning …

…story comes when Brently Mallard returns home, unhurt and not dead. The sight of Brently causes Mrs. Mallard to die of what the doctors say is a “heart disease – of joy that kills.” The true reason for Mrs. Mallard’s death is the fact that she now notices that she is still not free. Because she had seen her freedom, she could not go back to her husband; therefore, her only other option was death.