Freshman Comp II
Mon., Wed., 11:30-12:45
14 September 2010
Literary Analysis Paper
In the short story, The Story of an Hour,“ by Kate Chopin, one character that seemed to stand out to me was, Mrs. Mallard. Mrs. Mallard was a very intriguing character, one that, was inevitably overcome by her strong sense of independence and lack of love for her husband.
Mrs. Mallard is intriguing, because her reaction to her husbands death was not one that most women would have. She was so overwhelmed by this newfound independence that she suddenly died, as Kate Chopin says, “ the joy that kills” (107). In the text, Chopin, states, “(Mrs. Mallard‘s) bosom rose and fell tumultuously. She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will…Free, free, free!” (107). I find a lot of value in Mrs. Mallard’s character. The value of Mrs. Mallard’s character is, that she is a perfect example of someone who lived a wasted life. I believe that my life is precious. I know that I only have one life to live, and I try to live everyday as if it were my last. Unfortunately for Mrs. Mallard, she had to learn that lesson way too late in life.
In addition to living her life to the fullest, Mrs. Mallard, seemed to miss, another lesson. The lesson that escaped Mrs. Mallard was the lesson of love. Although the author, didn’t elaborate of the relationship of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, I imagine that they lived a cold and lackluster existence. I say this, because I can not imagine myself reacting the same way that Mrs. Mallard reacted, when put in her situation. In most cases, a wife would be devastated after learning of her husbands death. Mrs. Mallard’s reaction to this horrible news leads me to believe that Mrs. Mallard may not have truly loved her husband. In the text, Mrs. Mallard states,
“There would be no one to live for...