The Story of an Hour: A Biographical Analysis Essay Example

smell and taste), or the representation of an idea. ” (Clugston, 2010, pg 2. 5) Some of the ways imagery is used in The Story of an Hour were in the bedroom while Mrs. Mallard was taking in the outdoor scene. The descriptive nature of the after rain smell and the rustle of the “new spring” at the tops of the trees and the sound of the peddler shouting his wares all contributed to the readers ability to actually be there in the room looking out the window with Mrs. Mallard.

Symbols as stated in our text are, “an object, person, or action that conveys two meanings: its own literal meaning and something it stands for as well. ” (Clugston, 2010, pg 2. 5) The major symbols in The Story of an Hour include “The open window” which symbolizes the freedom and opportunities that await her after her husband's death. And the “heart trouble” that afflicts Louise which is a symbolic malady that represents her dissatisfaction with her marriage and unhappiness due to lack of freedom.

Biographical Approach

The biographical approach to a critical essay, “attempts to measure the extent to which the life of the author can shape literary expression. ” “There's controversy about whether a writer’s biography should be considered at all and strong positions are taken on both sides. The disagreement is about how important and influential such information is in the author’s writing process. ” (Clugston, 2010, pg 16. 2) The Work Analyzed In taking a look at the life of Kate Chopin one must take a look at her relationship with her father and one of the most

traumatic incidents of her very early childhood.

Just as in The Story of an Hour a tragic train accident is found in the life of Kate Chopin. Mrs. Chopin was only four years old when she lost her father, Captain O’Flaherty, whom she loved and respected. “The enterprising Captain O’Flaherty was also one of the founders of the Pacific Railroad, which on November 1, 1855, opened the St Louis-Jefferson City part of its road. With other local leaders, he was on the inaugural train. When it came to the Gasconade River, the bridge collapsed. O’Flaherty was one of the twenty-nine killed.

To the cries of the injured were added to the horrors of a violent thunderstorm during which lightning struck the wreck. ” (Seyersted, 1969) While researching I came across an academic essay titled Emotions in the Story of an Hour and something that struck me was, “But when Mrs. Mallard hears the shocking news, she undergoes a profound transformation that empowers her with a ‘clear and exalted perception’. As Chopin demonstrates, this heightened consciousness comes to the protagonist because of her awakened emotions. ” (Jamil, 2009)

While I do agree with the assessment given by Mr. Jamil in that the story is one of transformation and empowerment, I do not agree that her emotions are suddenly awakened. Mrs. Mallard just as Mrs. Chopin are both women of long time suffering in that they feel trapped by the societal pressures to “be good” and “proper”. Having lost her father at such a young age Mrs. Chopin grew up in a house full of depressed and perhaps even oppressed widows. That fact alone may

have contributed to her desire to work out her pain in her writings. Kate had lost her male role models in her youth and was raised by very prominent women.

In her schooling, taught by the nuns, Mrs. Chopin enjoyed reading and writing. When Kate married she kept a diary that included content that was not discussed in that era of time. Early on she became a widow with six young children having to nurture alone. The depression she faced from the misfortunes she had in her youth and the marriage, had led her family doctor to encourage the writing as a way to express her emotions. In her writings, it was believed to be a reality to her creativeness in her own personal views of life.