![]() This is not only a demonstration of how Mrs. Mallard even determines that she no longer had a man that will ‘bend her in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature.’ (Chopin, 2 ). Moreover, this power difference during those times created a mindset in women to accept what they already have. Mallard understands that she has gained back a portion of her freedom without sacrificing herself. In other words, because society would not accept a divorced woman but could accept a widow, Mrs. Mallard feels knowing that she still has a place in society while being free. Not only does this showcase her loss of freedom in the marriage, but it is also a representation of how Mrs. Mallard’s newfound freedom when she thinks,“‘free, free, free!’ The vacant state and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes.” (Chopin, 2). This is seen through the realization of Mrs. Additionally, the news of her husband’s death was an implication of how marriage during the 19th century was a battle of power. Marriage, in other words, was the loss of this freedom and power. Mallard does not share the same ‘emotional’ aspects that women are stereotyped to be, but it also proves that her liberation is incomparably greater than the feeling of marriage. “She loved him- sometimes, often she did not.” (Chopin, 2) This idea of love not only proves that Mrs. Mallard doesn’t seem to share the same love her husband has, furthering the idea of forced marriages. Mallard’s life was anything but extraordinary. Mallard’s family and how deeply integrated her life was with these societal complications. The power that is shown here is the power of men to be able to work whereas women were set to be housewives it is an implication of the stereotype that women should be domestic and submissive. These dynamics were set in order to place women in a lower priority power compared to men, and the narrator even states, “there would be no one to live for her during those coming years she would live for herself.” (Chopin, 1). She gives up her freedoms, which was common for a woman in the 19th century, and loses her power in order to get married. Mallard had to compromise in order to please her husband. ![]() From the beginning of the novel, it was indicated that Mrs. Mallard, who is the main protagonist in the story, is an example of the consequences of following the patriarchal laws and furthering these power differences. Kate Chopin proves this in, “The Story of an Hour”, by focusing on the power differences in the 19th century, and how the main protagonist struggles with her own societal expectations and oppression.įoremost, the story takes place in the 19th century which was a time that greatly expressed the power differences between men and women. It is a literary piece that reinforces the unending gender roles and stereotypes that are placed on women. This untimely death came with the unfolding emotional state of a woman oppressed by her marriage for years. Mallard, a woman struggling with a heart problem and the death of her husband. Kate Chopin, the author of many feminist works of literature, encompasses this idea of patriarchy and systematic oppression in her short story, “The Story of an Hour.” She focuses on the life of Mrs. The ideology of this line was to represent the contrast between the two genders, both in their natural characteristics and their political power. Likewise, women were forced to adhere to the standards placed on them such as preparing themselves for marriage. Men were dictated to work while their wives were attending to their domestic duties. During the 19th century, the role of women and men was sharply defined as a line that may never be crossed.
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