Kate Chopin The Story of an 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 19 th century readers. Died of a brain hemorrhage in St. Louis on August 22, 1904. Catherine (Kate) O’Flaherty

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 19 th century readers.

Died of a brain hemorrhage in St. Louis on August 22, 1904.

Family – Kate raised 6 children Husband - 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 - Facts

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

Mrs. Louis e 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. Characters

Mrs. Louis e 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.

Assumed during Chopin’s lifetime 19 th century amongst Cajun and Creole societies in Louisiana in the home of Louise Mallard. More about the location is not specified. Setting

Assumed during Chopin’s lifetime 19 th century amongst Cajun and Creole societies in Louisiana

in the home of Louise Mallard. More about the location is not specified.

Themes Irony Female self-discovery Identity and selfhood Role of Women in Marriage

Irony

Female self-discovery

Identity and selfhood

Role of Women in Marriage

Tone 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.

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.

Motifs Broke/Broken The window Her heart trouble

Broke/Broken

The window

Her heart trouble

Irony 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.

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.

Style Simple action, detached point of view, third person limited.

Simple action, detached point of view, third person limited.

The Story in Context: American experience and literary genre Published in 1894 in an era with many social and cultural questions occupied American’s minds, Chopin’s work shocked her 19 th 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.

Published in 1894 in an era with many social and cultural questions occupied American’s minds, Chopin’s work shocked her 19 th 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.