The Joy of Freedom

The Joy of Freedom

"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin has many reoccurring themes. One of the most outstanding in this particular piece of literature is freedom. This harshly ironic short story explores this theme by depicting a woman in an oppressed marriage who learns that her husband 'allegedly' dies and uses that as an opportunity to expand her horizons with a newly found freedom. At first, freedom seems like a terrible thing to Mrs. Mallard, who is restricted by both her bad heart, and even her marriage. On the other hand, though, she has considerable freedoms as an upper class, married lady. She can tell freedom is coming for her, and she dreads it. But once it arrives, it fills her with an overpowering joy. Yet, she experiences this mental and emotional freedom while being confined to a room. As soon as she leaves that room, the freedom she had only just barely begun to understand is taken away from her. Throughout this short story, Chopin suggests that to feel alive and attain true happiness, one must achieve individual freedom.

Throughout history women have often been tied up in the chains of traditions and cultural expectations of married life. Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" describes the feelings of Louise Mallard, a woman who is obligated to follow the rules of a society that discriminates against women. This situation seems to change when Louise hears about the death of her husband. Chopin explains the freedom and comfort Louise feels due to her husband's death, as well her unexpected reaction when she hears the news. Chopin suggests that all marriages, even the kindest ones, are inherently oppressive. Louise, who readily admits that her husband was kind and loving, nonetheless feels joy when she believes that he has died. Her reaction does not suggest any malice, and Louise knows that she will "weep again" (13) at Brently's funeral. However, despite the love between husband and wife, Louise views Brently's death as a release from oppression. She never names a specific way in which Brently oppressed her, hinting instead that marriage in general stifles both women and men. Louise's epiphany in which these thoughts parade through her mind reveals the inherent oppressiveness of all marriages, which by their nature rob people of their independence. The open window from which Louise gazes for much of the story represents the freedom and opportunities that await her after her husband has died. From the window, Louise sees blue sky, fluffy clouds, and treetops. The "sparrows are twittering" (5) and she can smell a coming rainstorm. Everything that she experiences through her senses suggests joy and spring--new life. And when she ponders the sky, she feels the first hints of elation. Once she fully indulges in this excitement, she feels that the open window is providing her with life. The open window provides a clear, bright view into the distance and Louise's own bright future, which is now unobstructed by the demands of another person. This sudden overwhelming sense of freedom has made Louise realize that she has finally found happiness.

In "The Story of an Hour," independence is a forbidden pleasure that can be imagined only privately. When Louise hears from Josephine and Richards of Brently's death, she reacts with obvious grief, and although her reaction is perhaps more violent than other women's, it is an appropriate one. Alone, however, Louise begins to realize that