The Importance of Freedom in Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” Essay

Kate Chopins The study of an Hour grabs its readers from the scoop and creates an unexpected twist at the end of the short story. Louise Mallard is precondition the news that her hubby has died in a terrible train accident. To her surprise, he arrives home and did not redden know there had been one (Chopin, 607). Upon the decease of Louise who once believes she was a widow moreover to find that her husband is remedy alive, the confusion begins. The conclusion of Louise is questioned by many critics as a put in of shock, depression, and sadness. However, Mark Cunninghams criticism of Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour states that her demolition was instead a discovery of freedom from the physical strains of her marriage with her husband and societal views on women. Cunningham argues that at the sight of her living husband, Louises death lies elsewhere in the joy (Cunningham, 49), that she had finally escaped her marriage and the burdens it placed on her life. Cunningham als o states that its possible that Louise didnt actually even see her husband but that it doesnt necessarily matter. Lastly, Cunningham argues that not only does she escape the strains of the marriage, but Louise also escapes societys natural and debasing views on women and the place they hold in society. In best judgment, Cunningham does an nifty job at defining the meaning of the significance of Louises death. However, I will argue that Louise Mallards sight of her husband is grievous to study because it emphasizes her desperate escape from her physically dangerous marriage, which also of necessity to be considered. I think emphasis should be placed on the idea of symbolism and the role it played in explaining Louises freedom from her marriage. It could be beneficial to ... ...opin, 607). Finally, Cunningham stated that its not all important(p) whether or not Louise saw her husband before she died. But, I think its important to address that she did see her husband, because this symbolizes her final stretch to freedom. Cunninghams criticism was sure as shooting successful in creating an understanding of why Chopin wrote the short story in the nineteenth century. Women were in a very tough place in society, but for some like Louise Mallard, there may have been opposite factors that made freedom such a desirable hope. Works CitedChopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour. The Norton Introduction to Literature. 10th ed. Eds. Alison Booth & Kelly J. Mays. New York W.W. Norton, 2010. 607-608.Cunningham, M. The autonomous distaff self and the death of Louise Mallard in Kate Chopins Story of an Hour. incline Language Notes. 42.1 (2004) 48-55.