Has anybody read "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin?

Question

I need help with understanding what really happens, an analysis.
Also these 3 questions:

1. What is the nature of Mrs. mallard's "heart trouble", and why would the author mention it in first paragraph? Is there any way in which this might be considered symbolic or ironic?

2. How does the setting limitation help to express the themes of the story?

3. What kind of relationship do the Mallard's have? Is Brently Mallard unkind to Louise Mallard, or is there some other reason for her saying "free,free,free!" when she hears of his death? How does she feel about him?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

1. The heart attack is symbolic. Mrs. Mallard’s heart disease may have resulted from her reaction to her inferior status in a male-dominated culture and to a less-than-ideal marriage. Symbolically, marriage could be termed "the joy that kills" and it weighs upon oppressed women like a "heart disease." The bitter irony of Mrs. Mallard's unpleasant and fatal shock is that the doctors attribute it to joy -- they see no other avenue but for women to love their marriages.

3. I think that they have a bad relationship with each other. Mrs. Mallard felt suffocated in her marriage. When she thinks her husband might be dead, she cannot help but feeling released from a burden which she hates.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

thankyou!