Personification In A Story Of An Hour

Words: 572
Pages: 3

“A Story of an Hour” In “A Story of an Hour”, by Katie Chopin, the author uses personification, symbolism and irony in order to portray the universal desire for freedom. In the eighteenth century women were portrayed as servants and had no say in anything just like the “Story of an Hour.” Women were portrayed as powerless beneath the men. Divorce was quite rare in the 1800’s and if one was to occur, men were automatically given legal control over the property and children. Women was expected to be just a housewife, taking care of her children When Mrs. Mallard heard about her, husband’s death, she went upstairs to her room and locked the door. Her personal nature was to be upset of the devastating news. “When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone.” She realizes that she has gained freedom from a depressing marriage and from her dominant husband. While, Mrs. Mallard is staring out the window crying, she is thinking about her independence in the near future. She is not crying from grief, she is crying for freedom. Her heart …show more content…
Mallard both physical and symbolic that represents her ambivalence toward her marriage and lack of being unhappy. A person will a weak heart, would not deal well with such devastating news. As, Mrs. Mallard gazes out the opening window, it represents the freedom and opportunities that waits after her dead husband. “But she saw beyond that bitter moment along precession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome.” The word “ bitter” seems to indicate that Mrs. Mallard loved her husband and she is sad of his passing. But, she opens her arms, because she can now see into the future of being along and she likes it. As, she is gazing out the window, she sees blue sky, fluffy clouds and treetops. Everything that she senses, is the joy of spring—new life. The opening window is providing her with life