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The story of An Hour by Kate Chopin

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Monir Hossen
Monir Hossen

This document provides an overview and analysis of Kate Chopin's short story "The Story of an Hour". It summarizes the plot, which involves a woman named Louise Mallard who is told of her husband's death in a railroad accident. However, she later discovers that the news was false when her husband returns home. The document also outlines the themes of irony, female self-discovery and identity, and the role of women in marriage. It analyzes stylistic elements like tone, motifs, and the use of irony in revealing truths. Finally, it discusses the cultural context of the story and Chopin's exploration of the "Woman Question" in 19th century America.

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Presented By: Monir Hossen Lecturer Department of English CCN University of Science and Technology, Comilla Bangladesh
Kate ChopinKate Chopin The Story ofThe Story of an Houran Hour
 American author Kate Chopin (1850–1904) was born in St. Louis in 1850. When her father was four, he died in a train accident.  Started writing at age 39  Southern regionalist writer, most of her fiction is set in Louisiana – her writing themes of class relations, relationships, and feminine sexuality shocked her 19th century readers.  Died of a brain hemorrhage in St. Louis on August 22, 1904. Catherine (Kate)
Family – Kate raised 6 childrenFamily – Kate raised 6 children Husband - Oscar ChopinHusband - Oscar Chopin
 Written in 1894, published the same year by Vogue magazine  The story of an hour in the life of Mrs. Louise Mallard  Deals with the issues of female self-discovery and identity Story of an Hour - FactsStory of an Hour - Facts
Mrs. Louise Mallard: Protagonist with “heart trouble” Brently Mallard: Husband of Louise – Assumed dead after a railroad disaster. Josephine: Sister of Louise – She tells Mrs. Mallard of her husband’s death. Josephine embodies the feminine ideal. Richards: Friend of Brently Mallard – first hears word of Brently’s death. CharactersCharacters
 Assumed during Chopin’s lifetime 19th century amongst Cajun and Creole societies in Louisiana  in the home of Louise Mallard. More about the location is not specified. SettingSetting
ThemesThemes • Irony • Female self-discovery • Identity and selfhood • Role of Women in Marriage
ToneTone Ironic detachment, melancholy. The unrecognized or unspoken unhappiness that seems to rule her life is realized only upon word of her husband's demise, and swiftly taken away again at his arrival.
MotifsMotifs  Broke/Broken The window Her heart trouble
IronyIrony What is understood to be true by the characters within the story – and what is understood by the reader? Reveals the distance between what appears to be true and what is actually true.
StyleStyle  Simple action Detached point of view Third person limited.
The Story in Context: American experience and literaryThe Story in Context: American experience and literary genregenre  Published in 1894 in an era with many social and cultural questions occupied American’s minds, Chopin’s work shocked her 19th century readers. The story was initially rejected by Century and Vogue magazine. The “Woman Question” involved which roles were acceptable for women to assume in society. Women were not allowed to vote until 1920.  Since the 1960’s rise of the feminist movement, Chopin’s work has been rediscovered and is now acclaimed for precisely the reasons it was denounced during her lifetime.
The story of An Hour by Kate Chopin

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The story of An Hour by Kate Chopin

  • 1. Presented By: Monir Hossen Lecturer Department of English CCN University of Science and Technology, Comilla Bangladesh
  • 2. Kate ChopinKate Chopin The Story ofThe Story of an Houran Hour
  • 3.  American author Kate Chopin (1850–1904) was born in St. Louis in 1850. When her father was four, he died in a train accident.  Started writing at age 39  Southern regionalist writer, most of her fiction is set in Louisiana – her writing themes of class relations, relationships, and feminine sexuality shocked her 19th century readers.  Died of a brain hemorrhage in St. Louis on August 22, 1904. Catherine (Kate)
  • 4. Family – Kate raised 6 childrenFamily – Kate raised 6 children Husband - Oscar ChopinHusband - Oscar Chopin
  • 5.  Written in 1894, published the same year by Vogue magazine  The story of an hour in the life of Mrs. Louise Mallard  Deals with the issues of female self-discovery and identity Story of an Hour - FactsStory of an Hour - Facts
  • 6. Mrs. Louise Mallard: Protagonist with “heart trouble” Brently Mallard: Husband of Louise – Assumed dead after a railroad disaster. Josephine: Sister of Louise – She tells Mrs. Mallard of her husband’s death. Josephine embodies the feminine ideal. Richards: Friend of Brently Mallard – first hears word of Brently’s death. CharactersCharacters
  • 7.  Assumed during Chopin’s lifetime 19th century amongst Cajun and Creole societies in Louisiana  in the home of Louise Mallard. More about the location is not specified. SettingSetting
  • 8. ThemesThemes • Irony • Female self-discovery • Identity and selfhood • Role of Women in Marriage
  • 9. ToneTone Ironic detachment, melancholy. The unrecognized or unspoken unhappiness that seems to rule her life is realized only upon word of her husband's demise, and swiftly taken away again at his arrival.
  • 11. IronyIrony What is understood to be true by the characters within the story – and what is understood by the reader? Reveals the distance between what appears to be true and what is actually true.
  • 12. StyleStyle  Simple action Detached point of view Third person limited.
  • 13. The Story in Context: American experience and literaryThe Story in Context: American experience and literary genregenre  Published in 1894 in an era with many social and cultural questions occupied American’s minds, Chopin’s work shocked her 19th century readers. The story was initially rejected by Century and Vogue magazine. The “Woman Question” involved which roles were acceptable for women to assume in society. Women were not allowed to vote until 1920.  Since the 1960’s rise of the feminist movement, Chopin’s work has been rediscovered and is now acclaimed for precisely the reasons it was denounced during her lifetime.