do you think that the Story of the hour is symbolic of modern feminism? give reasons to support your answer.
Answers
Explanation:
The Story of an Hour' is a story that was written by Kate Chopin in 1894. During this time, America had only recently abolished slavery, and the 19th Amendment wouldn't grant women the right to vote until 1920. It makes sense, then, that freedom would be of great concern to Chopin, especially considering she is thought to be one of the earliest forerunners of modern feminism.
Louise Mallard, the protagonist in 'The Story of an Hour', is a typical woman of the 1890s who enjoys little in the way of personal freedom. Once she learns of her husband Brently's death in a railroad accident, however, she quickly begins to realize the new potential for her own self-assertion. In life, Brently had effectively possessed Louise - he had final say in practically any direction of her life. With him gone, Louise senses a new thing…approaching to possess her, and with her quiet repetitive chant of the word 'free,' the reader soon learns just what that thing is.
By asserting and reveling in her newfound independence, Louise becomes a woman who is self-possessed rather than governed by the 'powerful will' of her husband. Nevertheless, she feels a moment of guilt for having experienced so much joy at Brently's passing. This is quickly dismissed, though, when she realizes that she no longer needs to dread that her own life might be long. At the moment, this is because she's now a widow who must take direction from no one else. However, in the end, she has no cause to dread the prospect of a long life since it is squashed by her own untimely (but welcomed) death brought on by the shock of Brently's 'miraculous' return.
Symbolism in 'The Story of an Hour'
Louise's self-confinement to her room following the news of Brently's death is actually a metaphor for the course of her life so far. While locked away, she comes to realize that, by not asserting her own will, she has allowed her own subjugation to take place. Nonetheless, having now experienced this revelation, Louise is able to take pleasure (and pride) in declaring her personal independence.
Openness is, ironically, a key element while Louise is shut in her room. Through her open window, she is able to look out onto the open square that harbors all manner of symbols of new life: spring blossoms, recent rain, and the noises of people selling and singing, along with 'countless sparrows.' This 'openness,' then, is really itself a symbol of the boundless possibilities Louise can experience with her newfound independence.
Death and rebirth are subtly represented by Louise's dull stare fixated on blue sky, symbolic of her new-coming personal prospects. Chopin notes that this is not a pensive glance but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought, meaning death. Louise has ceased to be the repressed female subservient to the will of her husband and is reborn as a self-affirmed individual.
Answer:
‘The Story of an Hour’ is a story of a woman who was suffering from heart disease. The woman — Mrs. Mallard was confined in an unhappy marriage and unable to free herself from her relationship with Brently Mallard, she endured it.
At the news of her husband’s death, though she cried “at once with sudden , wild abandonment” but not for a moment she wanted him back.
The main character is known in the beginning of the story only as a wife — Mrs. Mallard as she didn’t have her own identity, she was known as Mrs. Mallard. As soon as she learned of Brently’s death , she became “Louise” , a woman aware of her own desires, who had control over her life.
When Mrs. Mallard was alone in her room, she felt that
“There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it fearfully “. She was so repressed in her marriage that the thought of being free made her fearful.
Soon she recognised it but scared to admit it. She quickly found peace , joy and relaxed while she kept whispering “ free, free, free!” .
The bitter moment of her husband’s death helped her see “ a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. “
She was looking forward to the years of independent freedom and are yet to come. And she welcomed them.
In those coming years “ she would live for herself “. She has lived a life that has given her limitations.
She has forced herself to submit to the will of her husband because society expects such behaviour. But with her husband’s death “ there would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistance “, which believed in imposing a private will upon other one .
The sense of freedom brought her self assertion and a new identity. Although she had loved him sometimes but this love is meaningless when compared to her self assertion and newly found freedom.
When Louise felt free from the shadow of her husband she appear a totally different woman “ she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory”.
This way the freedom brought her to independence and self confidence which led her to discover her true identity as a woman.
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