Review: "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin

When Mrs. Mallard learns of her husband’s death, she first reacts like most spouses would, she is saddened and weeps. However, Mrs. Mallard then realizes she has feelings she doesn’t expect. She realizes she is a free woman, to choose how she wants to live the rest of her life without a husband controlling her. This is a major deal for a woman in the late 19th century. In present day, Mrs. Mallard could have divorced her husband with very few repercussions. That was not the case for the time period this story was written. Divorce was not an option then.



Mrs. Mallard is suddenly intrigued to the new world through her open window. When her sister is attempting to coerce her out of her bedroom, Mrs. Mallard is looking through the window to something she has never felt before, freedom. It doesn’t appear that she hated her husband but she had no outlet from her marriage. She was confined to that life style. Perhaps Mr. Mallard was a decent loving husband who provided well for her but maybe they had personality conflicts, possibly conflicts that didn’t arise until after they were married. Another possibility for Mrs. Mallard’s dislike for her marriage may have been the pressure placed upon married people to portray a happy, “normal” life.


Mrs. Mallard’s heart troubles appear to be more than physical. She apparently is aching to have a different life. Her heart is no longer in her marriage. It seems as though she doesn’t realize just how much she wants her freedom until she finds out she has it.


This story can still relate to present day marriages. Divorce is much easier this day and time but if one is in a bad marriage, they can feel smothered up until a separation, possibly like they’re trapped with no options. Divorce is still not an easy option; however, the freedom that is felt when one is out of a bad marriage could be described much as Mrs. Mallard’s feelings were described.


Her death was shocking but Mrs. Mallard gained and lost a lot in one hour. She lost her husband, gained her freedom, found out her husband was well, and finally lost her own life. Her experiences in one hour were more than most people experience in a year. She had much to deal with and ultimately death won her over.