Answer and Explanation:
"The Story of an Hour" is a short story by author Kate Chopin. The main character, Mrs. Mallard, is told that her husband has died in a train accident. Instead of grieving, she realizes she is now a free woman. However, in the end, her husband turns out to be alive. Upon seeing him, Mrs. Mallard dies of the shock due to a heart condition she has.
Let's tackle each question separately.
"The Story of an Hour" has been criticized for having a rigged ending with a cheap trick. Do you agree or disagree and why?
I disagree. I do not see the ending as rigged at all. Chopin used a very common technique in this story - foreshadowing. Mrs. Mallard's heart condition - and the fatality of such condition - is revealed and quite emphasized at the very beginning of the plot. A careful, mindful reader will have no problems recognizing this as an important detail for the rest of the story.
How does this ending illuminate Mrs. Mallard's feelings about her husband?
Her dying upon seeing him means her disappointment was too great to bear. It is not that she did not love him, but she had finally realized she loved herself and her freedom more. Having him back meant she was going to lose her newly-discovered identity, her brand new passion for living.