Question

Chopin’s protagonist in “The Story of an Hour,” Louise Mallard, utters the words “free, free, free” after she receives the news of her husband’s death. What theme of the story does this action most clearly reflect? the constraint Louise felt as a married woman of her era the disintegration of the bond between Louise and her husband the heart problem that ails Louise from time to time the constant presence of Louise’s family in the home

Answer 1

This narrative technique adds a tinge of irony to the story. The story ends with a reverse version of its beginning. The narrative skip in time also creates an element of surprise, because the reader doesn’t expect Louise to be dead or her husband to be alive. Moreover, it reflects the fleeting, fickle nature of time and reality. This sudden revelation also represents characteristics of realism. Like other realist works, the story does not have a sentimental or idealized ending. Instead, the reader is left thinking that there are no guarantees in real life, appearances can be deceptive, and nothing lasts forever.

-PLATO ANSWER

Answer 2

Answer is: the constraint Louise felt as a married woman of her era.

After knowing that her husband died, Louise Mallard is happy because she will no longer be dominated or controlled by the patriarchal standards of society. Before this time, she has felt imprisoned by the society’s norms and could not fully express her individuality as a woman.