"The Story of An Hour"
Kate Chopin (1894)
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.
It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half concealing. Her husband's friend Richards was there, too, near her. It was he who had been in the newspaper office when intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently Mallard's name leading the list of "killed." He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram, and had hastened to forestall any less careful, less tender friend in bearing the sad message.
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.
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.
She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves.
There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds that had met and piled one above the other in the west facing her window.
She sat with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair, quite motionless, except when a sob came up into her throat and shook her, as a child who has cried itself to sleep continues to sob in its dreams.
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.
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.
Now her bosom rose and fell tumultuously. She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will--as powerless as her two white slender hands would have been. When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under hte breath: "free, free, free!" The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body.
She did not stop to ask if it were or were not a monstrous joy that held her. A clear and exalted perception enabled her to dismiss the suggestion as trivial. She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her, fixed and gray and dead. But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome.
.) What writing techniques does the author use in her story? How do these add to your understanding of and appreciation for the story?
2.) Would you classify this author's work as "beautiful" or "well-written"? Why or why not? Please explain using examples from the author's work.
1) One writing technique that the author uses in "The Story of an Hour" is vivid and descriptive language. The author describes the setting with great detail, using words like "comfortable, roomy armchair," "delicious breath of rain," and "countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves." This attention to detail creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and helps to establish the atmosphere of the story.
Another technique used is the shift in the protagonist's emotions and thoughts. Through the use of stream of consciousness, the author takes the reader on a journey inside Mrs. Mallard's mind as she experiences a range of emotions, from grief and sorrow to a sudden realization of newfound freedom. This technique allows the reader to engage with the character on a deeper level and better understand her internal conflict.
2) Whether or not the author's work is considered "beautiful" or "well-written" is subjective and can vary from reader to reader. However, the author's work can be appreciated for its profound exploration of themes such as freedom, repression, and the complexity of human emotions.
For example, in the passage where Mrs. Mallard recognizes the freedom that awaits her, the author uses repetition to emphasize the power of liberation: "free, free, free!" This repetition not only conveys the intensity of Mrs. Mallard's emotions but also adds a sense of urgency and excitement to the moment. Additionally, the contrast between the protagonist's initial grief and her subsequent realization of freedom creates a poignant and thought-provoking narrative.
Furthermore, the author's ability to depict Mrs. Mallard's internal struggle in a concise and engaging manner showcases a skillful writing style. The use of vivid descriptions and the careful construction of the protagonist's emotions demonstrate the author's ability to convey complex ideas effectively.
In conclusion, the author's use of descriptive language, stream of consciousness, and powerful imagery enhances the reader's understanding and appreciation of the story. The author's work can be classified as "well-written" due to the skillful use of these techniques, which contribute to the overall impact and resonance of the narrative.
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