Discussion Questions For Story of An Hour - 2011710012 - Le Thi Thu Giang

Discussion Questions for “Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
1. What is the significance of Mrs. Mallard’s “heart trouble”?
Mrs. Mallard’s heart disease is a pivotal point of the story. It is introduced in the
first paragraph and sets up Mrs. Mallard’s inability to experience extreme pain or joy.
Her heart disease was the first clue to set us up for the assumption that Mrs. Mallard
would be so deeply devastated upon finding out her husband’s death. This makes
the revelation of her joy, hopefulness more surprising and her death all the more
painful.
Ironically, her heart disease is even used as a portrayer of the contemporary
society. We stepped into Mrs. Mallard’s world, experiencing her slow
acknowledgement of freedom and hope, experiencing her gradual release of her
body and soul from her marriage, experiencing her joy. But to the outside world, they
assumed that she is irreversibly pained from the news and it was a miracle she didn’t
die. Her death is interpreted by social norms as being so overjoyed that it killed her,
a joy that kills. But no one will know the truth about the burning passion of a young
lady to live out the rest of her days, free from marriage, living for herself. Sadly, her
passionate flame of life was put out by her husband’s appearance. So unbearable it
was, that it took out her life as well..
2. What is the significance of freedom in the story? How does the author
portray this idea?
Mrs. Mallard has always wanted freedom and solace from the bound life she has
been leading. Freedom from the obligation of being a wife and a secondary being to
her husband, marks a new chapter in Mrs Mallard' life.
The idea that she has somehow been living an imprisoned life is reflected at
several points throughout the story. The entire story takes place within the confines
of a house - a room, a staircase and just some extra space. It looks like for the first
time she has enjoyed some free air that flows through her window. She has been sick
of being a wife and so all the things appear new to her from the fresh wind to the
twittering of the sparrows. Her senses are feeling relieved and she is rejoicing at the
idea of enjoying the rest seasons of her life in freedom.
3. Describe Mrs. Mallard’s reaction to the death of her husband. Why do you
think she feels this way?
The news of her husband's death at first leaves Mrs. Mallard feeling indecisive. She
wails but soon she realizes that her husband has also been like a knot tied around
her soul keeping her from the feeling of real freedom. She says "free, free, free"
which signifies her dissatisfaction at the ordinariness of their relationship which was
suffocating her.
This was because the amount of love and liberty she must have expected was not
there in their marital relationship. She has been freed from a burden. If there is no
love and space in a relationship, its being or not being does not really matter. This is
how she feels about her husband's death. She cares for him but not as much as she
cares for herself. Now that the husband is dead and the relationship over, she would
be able to live for herself.
4. What does Richards represent in the story?
Richard represents a traditional male of the 19th century. He also represents the
messenger of the death since he brings Louise the fake news of her husband’s death.
And later on he is unwittingly responsible for Louise’s death when she passes away
after seeing her husband alive and well.
5. What does Josephine represent in the story?
Josephine represents the traditional nineteenth-century roles of men and women

and also what is expected of each. Moreover, she also symbolizes the society that
exists around Mrs Mallard and its traditional mindset. She appears in the story as a
woman who blindly follows the social customs and hence does everything in a
customary manner. Josephine’s appearance in the story is described comically. On
the one hand, her sister cherishes her new found freedom. On the other hand, she is
ridiculously trying to comfort her as if Mrs Mallard will die of sorrow. Josephine is
doing all of this because it is customary for the kin of a widow to support Mrs
Mallard bear the shock of her husband’s death.
6. What view of marriage is portrayed in the story? Can this view still apply
today?
The views of marriage shown in “The Story of an Hour” is based on the marital
roles from the 1900’s when women had very limited rights. Kate Chopin’s attitude in
the story shows that marriage seems to deny women the right to practice their own
independence or have a voice. In the nineteenth century, the society was largely
patriarchal and the women were expected to behave like their husband's shadow and
follow their wish and will. When Mrs Mallard gets the news of her husband's death,
she feels like she has been released from bondage.
Society and people's attitude towards marriage has changed a lot since then. The
situation and the society's mindset have changed very much. The women are well
educated and belong to the upper class, those who are not self-dependent, don’t
have a similar life as in the nineteenth century. Marriage is not bondage anymore
because divorces have become common and law is there to help them. Women are
more empowered in the 21st century so the female partner may become a bread-
winner in family.
7. Describe Mrs. Mallard’s journey in the story.
Mrs. Louise Mallard is a woman who has to suffer from heart disease. When she is
staying at home, her sister, Josephine, and her husband’s friend, Richards, come to
tell her that her husband, Brently Mallard, has been killed in a railroad accident. Upon
hearing the news of her husband’s death, Louise is grief-stricken, locks herself in her
room, and weeps. She realizes that she is now free- something wonderful and terrible
at the same time. At first she’s scared to admit it, but then she quickly finds peace
and joy in her admission. Although she will be sad about her husband, she is excited
for the opportunity to live for herself. She keeps repeating the word “free” as she
comes to terms with what her husband’s death means for her life. After praying that
her life is long-lived, Louise agrees to come out of her room. However, as she comes
downstairs, the front door opens to reveal her husband, who had not been killed by
the accident at all. No matter how hard Richards and Josephine try to keep Louise’s
heart from shock, Louise dies suddenly, which the doctors later attribute to “heart
disease- of the joy that kills.”

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Discussion Questions for “Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

1. What is the significance of Mrs. Mallard’s “heart trouble”?

4. What does Richards represent in the story?

5. What does Josephine represent in the story?

Josephine represents the traditional nineteenth-century roles of men and women

7. Describe Mrs. Mallard’s journey in the story.

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