"The Story of an Hour" is one of my favorite short
stories. The language that Chopin uses in the story has a lyric quality that is most
notable when read aloud. When the narrator describes the spring days, the reader can
feel the sense of freedom that Mrs. Mallard feels. Further, Chopin plays with words in
the story such as in the following lines:
"She breathed a quick prayer that life might be
long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be
long."
The ironic twist in
these lines causes the reader to sympathize with Mrs. Mallard's
situation.
Finally, I appreciate Chopin's overall message
about the constraints that are often a part of marriage and relationships. That ". .
.men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a
fellow-creature" is still a dynamic that we can relate to today. Often, because we are
close to others in relationships, we take for granted their desire and need for
independence.
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