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The Story of an Hour
Mrs. Louise Mallard, afflicted with a heart condition, reflects on the death of her husband from the safety of her locked room.
32 pages, ebook
First published December 6, 1894
About the author
Kate Chopin
618 books1,673 followersKate Chopin was an American novelist and short-story writer best known for her startling 1899 novel, The Awakening. Born in St. Louis, she moved to New Orleans after marrying Oscar Chopin in 1870. Less than a decade later Oscar's cotton business fell on hard times and they moved to his family's plantation in the Natchitoches Parish of northwestern Louisiana. Oscar died in 1882 and Kate was suddenly a young widow with six children. She turned to writing and published her first poem in 1889. The Awakening, considered Chopin's masterpiece, was subject to harsh criticism at the time for its frank approach to sexual themes. It was rediscovered in the 1960s and has since become a standard of American literature, appreciated for its sophistication and artistry. Chopin's short stories of Cajun and Creole life are collected in Bayou Folk (1894) and A Night in Acadie (1897), and include "Desiree's Baby," "The Story of an Hour" and "The Storm."
Some biographers cite 1850 as Chopin's birth year.
Some biographers cite 1850 as Chopin's birth year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,300 reviews
June 5, 2021
Louise Mallard has just received the dreadful news, that her husband has been killed in a terrible train accident, and the next hour will prove more transformative than anyone could have guessed!
First published in 1894 by Kate Chopin, it’s available to read here....
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
First published in 1894 by Kate Chopin, it’s available to read here....
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
March 13, 2023
Kate Chopin deals with a simple story in this book. I loved her writing style, and it is simply brilliant. Some authors have the ability to convey the dilemmas of life in a poetic way. The book has a few similar examples in it.
The ending of this book felt pretty ordinary to me. But still, the author seems to have brilliant writing skills, and I am eagerly waiting to read more books by her which are considered classics.
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“It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thoughts. There was something coming to her, and she was waiting for it fearfully. What was it? She did not know. It was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it.”
The ending of this book felt pretty ordinary to me. But still, the author seems to have brilliant writing skills, and I am eagerly waiting to read more books by her which are considered classics.
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July 29, 2022
Another very short and powerful story written by Kate Chopin. it seems I enjoy her short prose more than her novels.
The story shows what happens after one woman with heart problems receives the news of the death of her husband. Her sister finds it difficult to share the news due to the woman's poor health but when she does, the reaction is unexpected. There are quite a few twists in just a few pages. Kate Chopin is a very apt writer of the feminist perspective on marriage.
Read as part of The Short Story Club
The story shows what happens after one woman with heart problems receives the news of the death of her husband. Her sister finds it difficult to share the news due to the woman's poor health but when she does, the reaction is unexpected. There are quite a few twists in just a few pages. Kate Chopin is a very apt writer of the feminist perspective on marriage.
Read as part of The Short Story Club
September 26, 2019
I read "The Story of an Hour," written in 1894, with my real-life book club, and we had an interesting discussion about the themes in this story and similar ones in some other stories we read at the same time, like The Yellow Wall-Paper. Kate Chopin, a US author, was one of the earliest feminist authors.
Louise Mallard, a young wife with heart trouble, has just been told by her sister that Louise's husband was killed in a terrible train accident. She weeps wild and abandoned tears, then goes to her room and shuts herself away, to contemplate her life and what lies before her now. And what comes to her, I think, surprises even her.
It's worth reading, and it's free online here. It's a good lesson about loving others without trying to manipulate and mold them, without regard to what they really might want and might be afraid to say.
Louise Mallard, a young wife with heart trouble, has just been told by her sister that Louise's husband was killed in a terrible train accident. She weeps wild and abandoned tears, then goes to her room and shuts herself away, to contemplate her life and what lies before her now. And what comes to her, I think, surprises even her.
She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength. But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought.Louise begins to realize that now she can live for herself, not bending to someone else who, even if lovingly, was imposing his will on her. It's a freedom that she never thought she would have. Louise runs the gamut of emotions in just a single hour of her life.
There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know; it was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air.
It's worth reading, and it's free online here. It's a good lesson about loving others without trying to manipulate and mold them, without regard to what they really might want and might be afraid to say.
June 5, 2023
A story that puts the repressive nature of marriage at the centre of the story. However, rather than being overly critical of marriage in the writing, it is a celebration of independence and the joy of having freedom once again even under tragic circumstances.
‘The Story of an Hour’ is about the Louise Mallard who receives news that her husband has died in an accident. However, after her initial grief subsides she embraces her new found freedom with joy, and welcomes the opportunity for freedom to live the life she wants. As she retreats to her bedroom, she says to herself ‘free body and soul free!”, hinting at this oppressive role of women in a Victorian society.
Profound even touching. Dramatic with such irony. Who would have thought that this tiny story would have such a twist at the end.
The writing is sublime. Perfection in a few pages.
‘The Story of an Hour’ is about the Louise Mallard who receives news that her husband has died in an accident. However, after her initial grief subsides she embraces her new found freedom with joy, and welcomes the opportunity for freedom to live the life she wants. As she retreats to her bedroom, she says to herself ‘free body and soul free!”, hinting at this oppressive role of women in a Victorian society.
Profound even touching. Dramatic with such irony. Who would have thought that this tiny story would have such a twist at the end.
The writing is sublime. Perfection in a few pages.
February 7, 2017
This is an incredible short story by Kate Chopin, published in 1894. The story is about a woman who learns her husband has been killed, and she is contemplating her future. I'd say this is a must-read for anyone interested in American feminist writings.
I first read "The Story of an Hour" years ago in a literature class, but decided to look it up again after the recent presidential inauguration.
You see, I'm one of the folks who is experiencing great distress over the results of the 2016 election. Since I have significantly different political views than most of my family, it's gotten me thinking about how reading has influenced my perspective since childhood. I can point to specific books that have opened my mind and ended up changing my life, and I was curious if my friends could identify books that similarly impacted them.
One of my friends listed Kate Chopin's The Awakening as an important novel for her, and while I was getting that book from the library and looking up other Chopin works, I remembered this "Story." Reading it after seeing all the amazing pictures from women's marches across the world made me appreciate Chopin's gift all the more. Her prose is perfect -- I wouldn't change a word of this story. Highly recommended.
I first read "The Story of an Hour" years ago in a literature class, but decided to look it up again after the recent presidential inauguration.
You see, I'm one of the folks who is experiencing great distress over the results of the 2016 election. Since I have significantly different political views than most of my family, it's gotten me thinking about how reading has influenced my perspective since childhood. I can point to specific books that have opened my mind and ended up changing my life, and I was curious if my friends could identify books that similarly impacted them.
One of my friends listed Kate Chopin's The Awakening as an important novel for her, and while I was getting that book from the library and looking up other Chopin works, I remembered this "Story." Reading it after seeing all the amazing pictures from women's marches across the world made me appreciate Chopin's gift all the more. Her prose is perfect -- I wouldn't change a word of this story. Highly recommended.
April 27, 2023
The moment of joy
The events recounted in the story take place over the span of one hour. Hence, the title of the story.
The main character, Mrs. Mallard, receives the tragic news about her husband. The story meticulously examines her feelings. They seem ambivalent. She just lost someone she thought she loved.
She weeps at first. But very soon the woman finds unexpected hope in this new situation which opens up new possibilities to her. For the first time in her life, Mrs. Mallard sees the opportunity to live for herself.
Within one hour she feels upset, confused, independent, and happy. She has re-evaluated her marriage and has significantly changed within this hour. But her joy lasts briefly. Kate Chopin does not allow Mrs. Mallard to revel in joy. The author makes sure that her character reacts not like most women of her time would do. She feels what she is not supposed to feel.
We may think of two explanations.
The first version is that Mrs. Mallard got married very young. The man, no matter how kind he may have been to her, simply was not right for her.
The second option, which must be closer to the interpretation of the author, concerns the idea of marriage in general. The main character may be quite happy with her partner. However, she aspires to freedom she has never had in her married life. She has been hiding her true feelings for years.
The story was written in 1894. So, it must relate to the cultural codes of the times. Getting married means the need to conform to certain expectations for both men and women. Of course, the norms were stricter for women who were viewed as dependent on men. However, men were also subject to societal expectations.
Chopin criticizes the almost ubiquitous in her time oppression of women. The author comments on marriage using a specific experience of the main character. The narrative reveals the restrictive nature of marriage regardless of who is being married.
The ending is unexpected. It petrifies the reader with its bitter, almost cruel irony.
You can listen to the story here.
The events recounted in the story take place over the span of one hour. Hence, the title of the story.
The main character, Mrs. Mallard, receives the tragic news about her husband. The story meticulously examines her feelings. They seem ambivalent. She just lost someone she thought she loved.
She weeps at first. But very soon the woman finds unexpected hope in this new situation which opens up new possibilities to her. For the first time in her life, Mrs. Mallard sees the opportunity to live for herself.
Within one hour she feels upset, confused, independent, and happy. She has re-evaluated her marriage and has significantly changed within this hour. But her joy lasts briefly. Kate Chopin does not allow Mrs. Mallard to revel in joy. The author makes sure that her character reacts not like most women of her time would do. She feels what she is not supposed to feel.
"Free! Body and soul free!" she kept whispering.
We may think of two explanations.
The first version is that Mrs. Mallard got married very young. The man, no matter how kind he may have been to her, simply was not right for her.
The second option, which must be closer to the interpretation of the author, concerns the idea of marriage in general. The main character may be quite happy with her partner. However, she aspires to freedom she has never had in her married life. She has been hiding her true feelings for years.
The story was written in 1894. So, it must relate to the cultural codes of the times. Getting married means the need to conform to certain expectations for both men and women. Of course, the norms were stricter for women who were viewed as dependent on men. However, men were also subject to societal expectations.
Chopin criticizes the almost ubiquitous in her time oppression of women. The author comments on marriage using a specific experience of the main character. The narrative reveals the restrictive nature of marriage regardless of who is being married.
The ending is unexpected. It petrifies the reader with its bitter, almost cruel irony.
You can listen to the story here.
July 22, 2022
This is a devastating, and very short, look at literal and metaphorical heart trouble, from a remarkably feminist perspective, though in 1894, Chopin wouldn’t have known the term. This is the original title, but for a while, it was changed to The Dream of an Hour, as that was rather less shocking.
The opening line is:
“Knowing that Mrs Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.”
Chopin was widowed 1882. She was left with six children, debts, and depression. Writing became her escape and income. Perhaps in this story she was imagining a different way that death can end a marriage.
Image: “A young woman setting a bird free from a cage at an open window” by Martin Drölling. He died in 1817, so the painting is a couple of generations older than the story, but it felt apt, despite the presence of a child. (Source)
Read the story (link towards the bottom of this review) before clicking the spoiler.
See also
• Evelyn Waugh’s A Handful of Dust.
• I reviewed another Chopin story, The Storm, HERE. I gave that 5* too.
Short story club
I read this as one of the stories in The Art of the Short Story, by Dana Gioia, from which I'm aiming to read one story a week with The Short Story Club, starting 2 May 2022.
You can read this story here.
You can join the group here.
The opening line is:
“Knowing that Mrs Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.”
Chopin was widowed 1882. She was left with six children, debts, and depression. Writing became her escape and income. Perhaps in this story she was imagining a different way that death can end a marriage.
Image: “A young woman setting a bird free from a cage at an open window” by Martin Drölling. He died in 1817, so the painting is a couple of generations older than the story, but it felt apt, despite the presence of a child. (Source)
Read the story (link towards the bottom of this review) before clicking the spoiler.
See also
• Evelyn Waugh’s A Handful of Dust.
• I reviewed another Chopin story, The Storm, HERE. I gave that 5* too.
Short story club
I read this as one of the stories in The Art of the Short Story, by Dana Gioia, from which I'm aiming to read one story a week with The Short Story Club, starting 2 May 2022.
You can read this story here.
You can join the group here.
June 24, 2020
"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live."
—Norman Cousins
In light of her heart condition, how could Louise Mallard's sister broach the terrible news that Louise's husband has just died in a railroad accident?
Kate Chopin throws an abundance of literary devices at this clever little allegory: namely, irony, foreshadowing, deception, metaphor, allusion and symbolism, whispered from a feminist perspective.
Remember, after you've devoured it, that I did say it was clever. : )
It takes less time to read than it does to toast a slice of bread. And it's free to enjoy online: here it be , shipmates.
My thanks to Tadiana for her intriguing review
—Norman Cousins
In light of her heart condition, how could Louise Mallard's sister broach the terrible news that Louise's husband has just died in a railroad accident?
Kate Chopin throws an abundance of literary devices at this clever little allegory: namely, irony, foreshadowing, deception, metaphor, allusion and symbolism, whispered from a feminist perspective.
Remember, after you've devoured it, that I did say it was clever. : )
It takes less time to read than it does to toast a slice of bread. And it's free to enjoy online: here it be , shipmates.
My thanks to Tadiana for her intriguing review
May 2, 2023
Mr. Brently Mallard has died in a railway accident. Fearing the news may kill his already ailing wife, her sister, Josephine, approaches the subject delicately.
"She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms. When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her."
The author deftly walks us through those initial stages of shock that follow a sudden loss.
"There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul."
Like a caged bird which has just been set free, Mrs. Mallard's thoughts tentatively turn toward her future and what that may look like. The ending is a doozy!
The Story of an Hour is a nibble of a tale, but it is packed with beauty, irony, and foreshadowing, and can be read in just a few minutes.
It is free to read HERE.
"She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms. When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her."
The author deftly walks us through those initial stages of shock that follow a sudden loss.
"There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul."
Like a caged bird which has just been set free, Mrs. Mallard's thoughts tentatively turn toward her future and what that may look like. The ending is a doozy!
The Story of an Hour is a nibble of a tale, but it is packed with beauty, irony, and foreshadowing, and can be read in just a few minutes.
It is free to read HERE.
June 4, 2021
The Story of an Hour and other stories, Kate Chopin, David L. Kramer, A. J. Mckenna, Edith Wharton, Roger Dean Kiser, Tom Gillespei, Fernanfo Sorrentino
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
تاریخ خوانش
عنوان: ارواح پیر: نه داستان کوتاه از هفت نویسنده دنیا؛ مترجم: مرجان محمدی؛ موضوع داستانهای کوتاه از نویسندگان جهان - سده 19م
نه داستان کوتاه از هفت نویسنده دنیا
داستانهای: «داستان یک ساعت؛ نویسنده: کیت شوپن»؛ «با هم تا مرگ؛ نویسنده: دیوید ال. کرامر»؛ «امید و آسایش؛ نویسنده: ای.جی مک کنا»؛ «ارواح پیر؛ ای.جی مک کنا»؛ «کمال زندگی؛ نویسنده: ادیت وارتون»؛ «الویس در سلمانی مرد، نویسنده: راجر دین کایزر»؛ «ادیت محبوب من؛ نویسنده: تام جیل اسپای»؛ «بازگشت؛ نویسنده: فرناندو سورنتینو»؛ «پروانه ها، نویسنده: راجر دین کایزر»؛
در نشانی زیر ترجمه فارسی را بخوانید
https://archive.org/details/ShortStor...
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 13/03/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
تاریخ خوانش
عنوان: ارواح پیر: نه داستان کوتاه از هفت نویسنده دنیا؛ مترجم: مرجان محمدی؛ موضوع داستانهای کوتاه از نویسندگان جهان - سده 19م
نه داستان کوتاه از هفت نویسنده دنیا
داستانهای: «داستان یک ساعت؛ نویسنده: کیت شوپن»؛ «با هم تا مرگ؛ نویسنده: دیوید ال. کرامر»؛ «امید و آسایش؛ نویسنده: ای.جی مک کنا»؛ «ارواح پیر؛ ای.جی مک کنا»؛ «کمال زندگی؛ نویسنده: ادیت وارتون»؛ «الویس در سلمانی مرد، نویسنده: راجر دین کایزر»؛ «ادیت محبوب من؛ نویسنده: تام جیل اسپای»؛ «بازگشت؛ نویسنده: فرناندو سورنتینو»؛ «پروانه ها، نویسنده: راجر دین کایزر»؛
در نشانی زیر ترجمه فارسی را بخوانید
https://archive.org/details/ShortStor...
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 13/03/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
November 3, 2022
Kate Chopin is one of the unsung heroes of short fiction. Perhaps if she were born a century later, she might have been more acclaimed. Whatever I have read of her writing has impressed me, albeit in different ways. This story, written in 1894, is my favourite of her works.
Young Mrs. Louise Mallard has just received news of her husband Richard’s death in a train accident. Obviously, her reaction is that of grief. As the story says, “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms.” Louise retreats to her room and locks the door, leaving her sister worried that Louise might be in the depths of uncontrollable despair. But what’s happening behind the door? (Ha! As if I’m going to tell you!)
People look for various criteria when it comes to short stories. But I think I can safely say that most people will consider an impressive ending as a necessary requirement. This story has one of the best endings. (Note: ‘best’ isn’t always an HEA ending.) Within just about 2800 words, it delivers a fulfilling experience, complete with character detailing and imagery.
Not gonna say more. Read this for yourself and find out the rest – it will hardly take a few minutes.
4.25 stars.
Because of its original publication date, this story is now in the public domain and can be read online on various sites. I read it from the below link.
https://archive.vcu.edu/english/engwe...
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Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Young Mrs. Louise Mallard has just received news of her husband Richard’s death in a train accident. Obviously, her reaction is that of grief. As the story says, “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms.” Louise retreats to her room and locks the door, leaving her sister worried that Louise might be in the depths of uncontrollable despair. But what’s happening behind the door? (Ha! As if I’m going to tell you!)
People look for various criteria when it comes to short stories. But I think I can safely say that most people will consider an impressive ending as a necessary requirement. This story has one of the best endings. (Note: ‘best’ isn’t always an HEA ending.) Within just about 2800 words, it delivers a fulfilling experience, complete with character detailing and imagery.
Not gonna say more. Read this for yourself and find out the rest – it will hardly take a few minutes.
4.25 stars.
Because of its original publication date, this story is now in the public domain and can be read online on various sites. I read it from the below link.
https://archive.vcu.edu/english/engwe...
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
April 29, 2023
This wee story has been doing the rounds and no wonder!
There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know; it was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air........you bet!
...........and what an ending.
There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know; it was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air........you bet!
...........and what an ending.
January 8, 2016
A short stroy that really packs a punch.
I had never heard of this short story by Kate chopin until a review by a goodreads friend and I knew I had to read it. I love when an author in so few pages can capture a reads imagination and create a story that is interesting, well written and with a good old fashioned twist thrown in for good measure.
Loved it, " Good Goods come in small parcels
I had never heard of this short story by Kate chopin until a review by a goodreads friend and I knew I had to read it. I love when an author in so few pages can capture a reads imagination and create a story that is interesting, well written and with a good old fashioned twist thrown in for good measure.
Loved it, " Good Goods come in small parcels
April 25, 2023
Marriage and social norms are blown away by the desire for a woman’s independence. I’ve wanted to read Chopin for a long time. This very short story was a great introduction.
Thanks , Karen, for the link.
Thanks , Karen, for the link.
March 11, 2020
Thank you to many in the Goodreads community that have been passing this short story around.
Here’s the link:
http://americanliterature.com/author/...
Here’s the link:
http://americanliterature.com/author/...
April 25, 2023
Wow! Short and brilliant!
https://americanliterature.com/author...
https://americanliterature.com/author...
June 28, 2024
|| 3.0 stars ||
This story is about a woman who receives the news of her husband’s death in a rather… unexpected manner. Instead of grief, she feels intense joy, gratitude and relief for the freedom his death will now grant her. Not because she hated him or because she didn’t love him, but purely because, without a marriage, she felt she would finally be able to genuinely live life without being held back and without restrictions. She would be able to live life for herself.
This story clearly displayed the very sad reality of the stifling and oppressive nature that marriage used to have not so long ago, and also how very little autonomy and liberty a woman had when she was legally tied to a man.
Oh, but that ending? Such a twist! I definitely didn’t see it coming!
This story is about a woman who receives the news of her husband’s death in a rather… unexpected manner. Instead of grief, she feels intense joy, gratitude and relief for the freedom his death will now grant her. Not because she hated him or because she didn’t love him, but purely because, without a marriage, she felt she would finally be able to genuinely live life without being held back and without restrictions. She would be able to live life for herself.
This story clearly displayed the very sad reality of the stifling and oppressive nature that marriage used to have not so long ago, and also how very little autonomy and liberty a woman had when she was legally tied to a man.
Oh, but that ending? Such a twist! I definitely didn’t see it coming!
June 24, 2020
The Story of An Hour can be read in the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. It is a cleverly woven story of how unimaginably life can change in the space of an hour for unsuspecting individuals.
The death knell has struck for workers of a railroad. Mrs. Mallard has a health condition that makes breaking the news of her husband’s demise a delicate task for her sister and a close family friend. How will she take to the news? And this is where Chopin’s storytelling skills shone. A marvelous mix of foreshadowing and the use of irony led to an ending that was surprising and yet not.
Thank you, Kevin, for convincing me that I can trade time for toasting a slice of bread for a brilliant story.
It can be read here: The Story of An Hour
The death knell has struck for workers of a railroad. Mrs. Mallard has a health condition that makes breaking the news of her husband’s demise a delicate task for her sister and a close family friend. How will she take to the news? And this is where Chopin’s storytelling skills shone. A marvelous mix of foreshadowing and the use of irony led to an ending that was surprising and yet not.
Thank you, Kevin, for convincing me that I can trade time for toasting a slice of bread for a brilliant story.
It can be read here: The Story of An Hour
January 19, 2023
The story begins with two characters expressing the need to break the news of Louise’s husband’s death to her as gently as they can as they believe she will be totally devastated. Louise does in fact appear devastated when she hears the news, but as we read we realize that there is a different story being told. It’s a very short story displaying Chopin’s ability to use descriptive language to capture the ambiguity of the situation. I really enjoyed the story even if I felt it was a little too obvious very early on. The last line, however, is priceless. Well worth the few minutes it takes to read it!!
August 3, 2022
"There would be on one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a will upon a fellow creature."
What was marriage like for a woman in the 19th Century? The story features a woman in a repressive marriage, and has a great twist at the end. I reread this story for the Short Story Club.
What was marriage like for a woman in the 19th Century? The story features a woman in a repressive marriage, and has a great twist at the end. I reread this story for the Short Story Club.
January 3, 2016
A short story with a major twist. Could fit in nicely with Alanis Morisette's song, "Isn't it Ironic."
December 18, 2017
Very short, ironically tragic story.
"There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature."
Available to read online here.
"There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature."
Available to read online here.
January 6, 2016
HA! All I can say about this SUPER short classic story without giving away the shocker of an ending is.......Poor Louise.
Must read more Kate Chopin!
April 11, 2022
one of the rare stories that everyone had to read for school that was actually good and worth it
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago, except also this time i couldn't resist a reread
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago, except also this time i couldn't resist a reread
December 20, 2011
The Story of an Hour
Written by: Kate Chopin
The Story of an Hour
Characters:
Mrs. Louise Mallard
Josephine (Louise’s sister)
Brently Mallard (Louise’s husband)
Richards (Brently’s friend)
A lot can happen in an hour!
Louise Mallard has heart trouble. Her sister Josephine and her husband’s friend Richards use caution when informing her that Brently had been killed in a railroad disaster. Richards had used care to verify the incident. A second telegram had confirmed the sad communications, originally received in the newspaper office with Brently Mallard’s name at the top of the list.
Louise immediately started to weep and flailed in the arms of her sister. After a while she went off to herself, and did not let anyone accompany her.
As she looked out of the window reflecting on the enormity of the situation she observed the environment; a spring day, abundant with life: a peddler hawking his wares, someone singing, birds tweeting, etc.
Louise looked into the sky, at patches of blue sky in the clouds. She sat serenely on a chair with only an occasional sob breaking the quiet. Her thoughts turned to the future. She realized she was not powerless without her husband. These thoughts revived her. She now began to say over and over, under her breath: “Free, free, free!” Her pulse quickened and her body felt alive.
Louise now realized that her future belonged to her and her alone. “Free! Body and soul free,” she kept whispering.
Her sister Josephine was now kneeling at the door of Louise’s room, asking her to come out and not to make herself sick. Louise told her to go away, that she was not making herself sick. Louise was now cognizant of the fact that she once wondered how long she would have to live with her husband. Now she was wondering how much more time she might have and praying for more time.
Soon she came out and wrapped her arms around Josephine’s waist and they walked down the steps to join Richards, again.
Soon, someone was opening the front door with a key. In walked Brently, her husband, casually. He was unaware of the accident. Richards tried to shield him from Louise, but was too late.
Later, when the doctor came he said Louise had died of heart disease.
Written by: Kate Chopin
The Story of an Hour
Characters:
Mrs. Louise Mallard
Josephine (Louise’s sister)
Brently Mallard (Louise’s husband)
Richards (Brently’s friend)
A lot can happen in an hour!
Louise Mallard has heart trouble. Her sister Josephine and her husband’s friend Richards use caution when informing her that Brently had been killed in a railroad disaster. Richards had used care to verify the incident. A second telegram had confirmed the sad communications, originally received in the newspaper office with Brently Mallard’s name at the top of the list.
Louise immediately started to weep and flailed in the arms of her sister. After a while she went off to herself, and did not let anyone accompany her.
As she looked out of the window reflecting on the enormity of the situation she observed the environment; a spring day, abundant with life: a peddler hawking his wares, someone singing, birds tweeting, etc.
Louise looked into the sky, at patches of blue sky in the clouds. She sat serenely on a chair with only an occasional sob breaking the quiet. Her thoughts turned to the future. She realized she was not powerless without her husband. These thoughts revived her. She now began to say over and over, under her breath: “Free, free, free!” Her pulse quickened and her body felt alive.
Louise now realized that her future belonged to her and her alone. “Free! Body and soul free,” she kept whispering.
Her sister Josephine was now kneeling at the door of Louise’s room, asking her to come out and not to make herself sick. Louise told her to go away, that she was not making herself sick. Louise was now cognizant of the fact that she once wondered how long she would have to live with her husband. Now she was wondering how much more time she might have and praying for more time.
Soon she came out and wrapped her arms around Josephine’s waist and they walked down the steps to join Richards, again.
Soon, someone was opening the front door with a key. In walked Brently, her husband, casually. He was unaware of the accident. Richards tried to shield him from Louise, but was too late.
Later, when the doctor came he said Louise had died of heart disease.
April 28, 2023
A very short, brilliant, jaw dropping short story! Wow!
Thank you Laysee for bringing this story to my attention and providing the link.
Published: 1894
Thank you Laysee for bringing this story to my attention and providing the link.
Published: 1894
October 4, 2017
One of the most richly written inside look to the restraints the institution of marriage once had on women. Oh and the ending is absolutely delicious!
June 27, 2024
this novel is an exemplary embodiment of intertemporal feminist thought, arguably one of the most exceptional pieces of literature I have had the pleasure of reading
❛❛ there would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. there would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. a kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination.
and yet she had loved him—sometimes. often she had not. what did it matter! What could love, the unsolved mystery, count for in the face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being!
“free! Body and soul free!” she kept whispering. ❜❜
July 28, 2022
“There would be no one there to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself.”
At the time of its release, written by Kate Chopin in 1894, The Dream of an Hour had to be renamed upon republishing as The Story of an Hour to intercept some of the controversies raised by the original story. A controversial text from its first publication onward, Chopin's story focuses on a female protagonist who learns of her husband’s death in a tragic accident, and is overcome by sensations of relief and liberation from her husband.
“There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature.” Perhaps the most striking phrase of the entire story, an encapsulation of the feelings that defined the emotional state of Chopin’s protagonist.
The freedom Louise now encounters is never more apparent than in the very beginning of the story, as Louise stares outside into the trees and notices the beauty of nature, as though her marriage had restrained her from wallowing in its bloom. The readers are oblivious to the actual circumstances of their marriage: we know only Louise’s emotional perspective, devoid of any reflections on actual events that would present context to the feelings she has accumulated towards her marriage. That's the strength of short stories: you don't need such frameworks to understand the point the author tries to accentuate.
The conclusion of the story cannot be discussed without delving into spoilers, so please read the story yourself (it will take only five to ten minutes; a link is attached at the end) before continuing to read this review.
"Spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long."
Thank you to Cecily for raising my awareness for this short story. I have read it here, but the story can easily be found through a simple Internet search.
At the time of its release, written by Kate Chopin in 1894, The Dream of an Hour had to be renamed upon republishing as The Story of an Hour to intercept some of the controversies raised by the original story. A controversial text from its first publication onward, Chopin's story focuses on a female protagonist who learns of her husband’s death in a tragic accident, and is overcome by sensations of relief and liberation from her husband.
“There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature.” Perhaps the most striking phrase of the entire story, an encapsulation of the feelings that defined the emotional state of Chopin’s protagonist.
The freedom Louise now encounters is never more apparent than in the very beginning of the story, as Louise stares outside into the trees and notices the beauty of nature, as though her marriage had restrained her from wallowing in its bloom. The readers are oblivious to the actual circumstances of their marriage: we know only Louise’s emotional perspective, devoid of any reflections on actual events that would present context to the feelings she has accumulated towards her marriage. That's the strength of short stories: you don't need such frameworks to understand the point the author tries to accentuate.
The conclusion of the story cannot be discussed without delving into spoilers, so please read the story yourself (it will take only five to ten minutes; a link is attached at the end) before continuing to read this review.
"Spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long."
Thank you to Cecily for raising my awareness for this short story. I have read it here, but the story can easily be found through a simple Internet search.
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