This is the lesson to accompany the story "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin and may include extra excerpts from songs and poems as comprehension questions and language development. The actual story in not included here; this lesson is for after reading the story. Created by Coleman’s Classroom.

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The Story of an Hour

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Understanding American History
15th Amendment (1870) - All Male
Vote
19th Amendment (1920) - Women’s
Vote
Freedom / Rights / Choice
Cult of Domesticity: Piety, Purity,
Submissiveness, Domesticity

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feminism
organized activity on behalf of
women's rights and interests;
specifically : the 19th and 20th
century movement seeking to
remove restrictions that
discriminate against women

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"Perhaps it is better to wake up after all,
even to suffer; than to remain a dupe
to illusions all one's life."

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Mrs. Mallard experienced intense
frustration with her life as a
married woman.
Similar experiences in YOUR LIFE?
– Job
– School
– Friendships
– Family
Relating to the Story

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New Vocabulary
Phrase
Afflicted
Forestall
Paralyze
Elusive
Strive
Means
• Distressed
• Delay or prevent from
occurring
• Make unable to move or
ineffective
• Rare, hard to identify
• Give a lot of effort

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The Plot
Who? What? When?
Where? Why? How?
Main Idea?
A wife believes her husband is
dead, and then dies herself when
she discovers he is alive.

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Stages of Grief
Denial: “This can't be
happening.”
Anger: “Why me? It's not
fair!”
Bargaining: “I'll do anything
to prevent this”
Depression: “I'm so sad,
why bother with
anything.”
Acceptance: “It's going to
be OK.”
Which stage did Mrs. Mallard begin
with?

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Plot Comprehension Questions
Why was Josephine so careful about
the giving the news to Mrs.
Mallard?
What season is it, and why is this
important?

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Plot Comprehension Questions
What do the descriptions of the
people, animals, and nature (lns
19-26) have in common?
What word describes how Mrs.
Mallard felt when she believed her
husband to be dead?

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Plot Comprehension Questions
Was Mr. Mallard a terrible man?
Was Mrs. Mallard a terrible woman?
Explain this sentence: “And yet she
loved him – sometimes.”

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Themes To Consider
Seasons / Death
Joy / Sorrow
Freedom (Unmarried) / Bound
(Marriage)
Equality / Feminism
Epiphany

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Literary Terms (1)
Epiphany – an unexpected moment
of profound enlightenment
Example
“Free, free, free!” (ln 44-45)

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Literary Terms (2)
Metaphor – implied comparisons
Example
Mrs. Mallard lit up...
Others???

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Literary Terms (3)
Simile – explicit comparison with
like or as
Example
Mrs. Mallard’s eyes shone like
polished gems...
Others???

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Anne Lennox
• Lead Singer of the band
Eurythmics
• First Solo Album 1992
Diva
• Hailed as "The Greatest
White Soul Singer Alive"
the 199 show 100 Greatest
Women of Rock and Roll
• “Walking on Broken Glass”

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Song Excerpt
Walking on, walking on
broken glass
Walking on, walking on
broken glass

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You were the sweetest thing
that I ever knew
But I don't care for sugar,
honey, if I can't have you
Since you've abandoned me
My whole life has crashed
Won't you pick the pieces up
'Cause it feels just like I'm
walking on broken glass

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The sun's still shining in the deep
blue sky
But it don't mean nothing to me
Oh, let the rain come down
Let the wind blow through me
I'm living in an empty room
With all the windows smashed
And I've got so little left to lose
That it feels just like I'm walking on
broken glass

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Literary Terms (4)
Personification
Examples???

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Your Thoughts
What are some limitations placed on
a married person?
Should divorce be an option in an
unhappy marriage?
Identify and explain an epiphany you
have had in your life.
The acceptable ways to grieve are
cultural. How is grief expressed in
your culture?

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