Question

In "The Story of an Hour," which of the following describes the narrative structure Chopin most clearly uses to convey her theme?

a) First-person narrative
b) Stream of consciousness
c) Limited third-person omniscient
d) Dramatic irony

Answer 1

In 'The Story of an Hour,' the narrative structure is most clearly Limited third-person omniscient, which allows insight into the protagonist's experiences without revealing the inner thoughts of all characters.

Step-by-step explanation:

In The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin, the narrative structure that most clearly conveys the theme of the story is c) Limited third-person omniscient. The narrator is external to the story and provides insight into the thoughts and feelings of one character, Mrs. Louise Mallard. We follow her emotional journey closely after she receives the news of her husband's death. This point of view is particularly effective in conveying the theme of the story, which centers on the complex interplay of freedom and repression, life and death.

Unlike a first-person narrative, this approach allows readers to remain somewhat detached from the character, observing her experience without being inside her head the entire time. Unlike a fully omniscient perspective, the limited scope prevents readers from knowing the inner thoughts of every character, which creates an intimate bond with Mrs. Mallard while maintaining an air of suspense. This narrative choice enables the dramatic twist at the end of the story to resonate powerfully as it depends on the limited knowledge of both the protagonist and the reader.