Introduction
Louise Mallard is the protagonist in the story of an hour. All attention is drawn to her so far; every other character revolves around her. When the news breaks that her husband was dead, all the other people set aside their grieve and care for her that she does not die. Louise is a round character as changes happen from the onset of the story until she dies. This paper focuses on her heart trouble, reaction to the sad news, solitary experience, and the confrontation with her live husband.
At the onset of the story, the author presents Mrs. Mallard to have had heart trouble. The heart trouble, though not said, may mean more than just a physical ailment. Although Louise suffered from heart disease, there is evidence in the story that she still suffered cultural bondage from her husband. The heart trouble made her fragile before her family and friends. Richards, a friend to her husband and the first to hear the death report, was cautious in revealing the tragedy but had to seek help from her sister Josephine. The duo feared that the news would affect her physical ailment and die as well.
On hearing the news of his death, Mrs. Mallard did not receive the story as other women did ("The story of an hour"). Her intelligence makes her act otherwise. Louise was able to accept the news and not immobilized. Despite her strength, she was still an emotional woman as she is suddenly gripped by the sense of abandonment and wept. Many women in this culture seem to have been overweighed by losing their husbands, for Mrs. Mallard was a different feeling. She loved her husband but still had felt like a prisoner; a sense of freedom crept in. After her short grieve was over, she storms into her room and allows no one to follow her in.
Louise sinks into a comfortable armchair inside her room. Her physical exhaustion and what may seem like the oppression of marriage rested. As her body relaxes, she realizes that there will be no one to command her around now. The motivation of a new life springing starts unfolding in her eyes as she watched the new spring life on the trees and the delicious smell of rain. Her continued declaration of freedom shows the intensity of bondage Louise had been in and her desperate need for liberty. However, as much as locking herself up seemed to increase her morale, it was not the best choice for the people around her as they were death worried about her state. Her sister continually called to her from the door. She was concerned about what might happen to her in the room.
After coming out of her room, Louise sees her husband. Brently Mallard opens the door and enters unharmed. To her surprise, he had not been in the scene of the reported accident or known of such. Louise Mallard collapses and dies. The most dreaded event, which the family and friend had tried to avoid, happens.
Conclusion
The protagonist of the story of an hour does not live to see her awaited freedom, though it was the only one that could have given her joy. The author points to a situation where male chauvinism does not benefit as all the parties lost when men oppress women.
