"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin is obviously a short story for woman. Woman's rights were a very large issue during the realism period and this story showed that issue well. Mrs. Mallard was a woman with heart disease and one day she learns that her husband has been killed in the derailment of a train. At first she is sad for she loved her husband but then she thinks of the future. She thinks of how she will no longer be oppressed by anyone and that she can do as she wishes. "Free! Body and soul free!" she kept whispering"(Chopin, "The Story of an Hour"). This is where the feminist part of the story is located. She is thinking on her own and this was almost frowned upon during this time period. However her joy is short lived, just as the rest of her life, as someone rings the bell at the door. When it is open we learn it to be Brently Mallard. "He had been far from the scene of the accident, and did not even know there had been one". The doctor came to the house and concluded that she had died of heart disease, or the joy that kills(Chopin, "The Story of an Hour"). This is almost ironic because the reader is not sure whether she really died of happiness. She was excited about the new life she was to begin being free and when she saw her husband the reality of her world came crashing down on her all at once.
"Changes in mood, in perceptions, in opinions and ideas constitute turning points or climaxes"(Rahn, "Realism"). This is part of the definition or characteristics of the Realism period. I think that this definition fits this story well. She was happy knowing that she was not going to be tethered to someone anymore and when she saw her husband, a drastic change in mood constituted the climax of the story where she has her heart attack. The Realism period showed a major shift in the type of writings being made and this story shows the characteristics of realism including the changing of mood and perceptions.
Chopin, Kate. ""The Story of an Hour"" Virginia Commonwealth University. Web.
Rahn, Josh. "Realism." - Literature Periods & Movements. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.
"Changes in mood, in perceptions, in opinions and ideas constitute turning points or climaxes"(Rahn, "Realism"). This is part of the definition or characteristics of the Realism period. I think that this definition fits this story well. She was happy knowing that she was not going to be tethered to someone anymore and when she saw her husband, a drastic change in mood constituted the climax of the story where she has her heart attack. The Realism period showed a major shift in the type of writings being made and this story shows the characteristics of realism including the changing of mood and perceptions.
Chopin, Kate. ""The Story of an Hour"" Virginia Commonwealth University. Web.
Rahn, Josh. "Realism." - Literature Periods & Movements. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.
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