The Story of an Hour Questions for Study

The Story of an Hour is one of the greatest works by Kate Chopin. Summary Mrs. Mallard has a heart condition, which means that if shes startled she could die. So, when news comes that her husbands been killed in an accident, the people who tell her have to cushion the blow.  Mrs. Mallards sister Josephine sits down with her and dances around the truth until Mrs. Mallard finally understands what happened. The deceased Mr. Mallards friend, Richards, hangs out with them for moral support. Richards originally found out because he had been in the newspaper headquarters when a report of the accident that killed Mr. Mallard, which happened on a train, came through. Richards waited for proof from a second source before going to the Mallards to share the news. When Mrs. Mallard finds out what happened she acts differently from most women in the same position, who might disbelieve it. She cries passionately before deciding to go to her room to be by herself. In her room, Mrs. Mallard sits down on a comfy chair and feels completely depleted. She looks out the window and looks out at a world that seems alive and fresh. She can see the sky coming between the rain clouds. Mrs. Mallard sits still, occasionally crying briefly like a kid might. The narrator describes her as youthful and pretty, but because of this news she looks preoccupied and absent.  She seems to be holding out for some kind of unknown news or knowledge, which she can tell is approaching.  Mrs. Mallard breathes heavily and tries to resist before succumbing to this unknown thing, which is a feeling of freedom. Acknowledging freedom makes her revive, and she doesnt consider whether she should feel bad about it. Mrs. Mallard thinks to herself about how shell cry when she sees her husbands dead body and how much he loved her. Even so, shes kind of excited about the chance to make her own decisions and not feel accountable to anyone. Mrs. Mallard feels even more swept up by the idea of freedom than the fact that she had felt love for her husband. She focuses on how liberated she feels. Outside the locked door to the room, her sister Josephine is pleading to her to open up and let her in.  Mrs. Mallard tells her to go away and fantasizes about the exciting life ahead.  Finally, she goes to her sister and they go downstairs. Suddenly, the door opens and Mr. Mallard comes in. Hes not dead and doesnt even know anyone thought he was. Even though Richards and Josephine try to protect Mrs. Mallard from the sight, they cant. She receives the shock they tried to prevent at the beginning of the story. Later, the medical people who examine her say that she was full of so much happiness that it murdered her. Study Guide Questions   What is important about the title?What are the conflicts in The Story of an Hour? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) do you see in this story?How does Kate Chopin reveal character in The Story of an Hour?What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?What are some symbols in The Story of an Hour? How do they relate to the plot and characters?Is Mrs. Millard consistent in her actions? Is she a fully developed character? How? Why?Do you find the characters likable? Would you want to meet the characters?Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why?What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?Why is the story usually considered a work of feminist literature?How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?What is the role of women in the text? What about single/independent women?Would you recommend this story to a friend?