Critical Lenses in The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

We all make a different approach when enduring the loss of the loved one. Whether we break into tears or scream in agony, it all comes down to an individual reaction. “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin introduces an incident where the supposed death of a woman’s husband makes her extremely joyful, but when it is discovered that the husband is still alive, the woman dies out of disappointment. The situation indicates that Mrs. Mallard cannot escape his fate and oppression. Mrs. Mallard is hard proclaiming that she is free, body and soul, but the freedom is shuttered and taken away when her husband is found alive and not dead as she thought. The critical lenses that emerge in this story arises the feminist perspective in addressing the theme of female oppression and also a Marxist lens to show how power is attained and when one has tasted it, they never go back.

The story of an Hour by Kate Chopin can be analyzed in a feminist lens, although the author never indicated that she was a feminist. The feminist lens is demonstrated in the theme of women suppression. It is evident that people are all worried about Louise Mallard's reaction when she learns about her husband death, but they do not know how happy she is to hear the news. She does not spend her time grieving, but instead, she feels that she is finally free, and the thought warms up her body. Her husband loved her, but he showed love by making all decisions for her, and this made her feel trapped and oppressed. She wanted to live for herself and chose how to live it. 

Her depression did not come for the sadness of learning about the supposed death of her husband but out of the disappointment of learning that he is alive. Louise Mallard was craving for the free will and the eradication of that power that allow men and women to believe that one has the right to impose their own will on another person. “What could love, the mystery, count for in the face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being!”. She was only released from the shackles for a moment, and then her reality was crashed as the husband turned out alive. She had realized that love was not a substitute for possession or self-assertion. She had felt that life would be long, but then hope was there for a while and taken away, after learning of her husband's good health, Louise's heart stopped, and her suffering finally ended.

The Story of an Hour can also be viewed through the Marxist lens as social, political, and logic obstructions are created when one lacks power over their lives. The Marxist lens is depicted when there is a brief sentiment of freedom felt by Mrs. Mallard when she learns that her husband has been killed in a railroad accident. Nevertheless, her joy doesn't last long when her blissful meditation is put to death by her husband, who walks through the door alive and kicking. Marxist lens explains power not only in the government but also on a small group of individuals like wife and husband. The story indicates that 'she saw beyond that bitter moment a long possession of years to come that would belong absolutely to her.' (Chopin 20). The quote indicates that although she loved her husband, she felt restrained and trapped in her life and was not sad to let him go. She had tasted the power of freedom, and when it was taken away, she couldn't be sucked back, and her heart finally gave up.

In conclusion, the lenses help us to learn how the life of a woman in mid 1800 was and what has changed since then. Women were and still are forced to improve themselves and surrender their free will to men. Even when they have managed to gain their freedom, something always pulls them down to being second and with lack of self-assertion. The perspectives are essential as they make us appreciate how hard women liberation has been, and today, many actions and laws support freeing women when they feel trapped in their relationships and marriage.