“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin Commentary “The Story of an Hour” is a startling portrayal of a woman’s awakening upon receiving news of her husband’s ‘death.’ Written in the 19th century, this was very much considered a ‘feminist’ story, as it harboured disapproving attitudes towards marriage. In the first sentence, readers were told that the woman was (Louise Mallard) ‘afflicted with heart trouble,’ foreshadowing danger, fragility, and unwell-ness. Louise ‘did …showed first 75 words of 719 total…

…showed last 75 words of 719 total…keeps the reader reading. Also, the iconoclastic perspective steers it away from the cliché and conventions. Much is said in the sub-context, by way of implication, and through associating images. What the words read on the surface, and what they really meant was completely different (i.e. ‘the joy that kills’). The ‘story’ in the title refers to Louise’s life, because that hour, was the only hour she truly ‘lived,’—in freedom and will.