Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” demonstrates an ironic joy and sadness of a woman saved from a repressive marriage. The main female characters are portrayed in a way that draws upon many gender stereotypes. Mrs. Mallard is defined based on her marital status and emotional fragility, whereas Josephine is portrayed as a maternal figure concerned with her sister’s well-being (Chopin para 2). These characters are representative of the gender stereotypes of the time, and it is evident that Chopin was aware and probably intended to comment on such stereotypes through her writing. Therefore, this story reveals both Chopin’s awareness of the traditional gender roles of the time and her ability to develop characters that subvert them.
Portrayal of Women
In the story, Kate Chopin portrays women as marginalized and oppressed by the patriarchal society. The main protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, has an identity and emotions controlled by her husband and sister (Chopin para 2). She is unable to make decisions for herself, and her sister’s intrusion quickly crushes her joy at the news of her husband’s death. Her freedom and independence become real for a short time, and she is quickly reminded of her powerlessness. The oppressive nature of women’s lives is showcased towards the end, as Mrs. Mallard dies of shock when her husband appears, revealing his survival (Chopin para 20). The story conveys a feminist message, indicating how Mrs. Mallard is denied the freedom to pursue her desires and happiness due to society’s expectations.
Type of Characters
Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” has flat and dynamic characters. Mrs. Louise Mallard is a dynamic character as she experiences many emotions throughout the story, from grief and sadness at the news of her husband’s death to joy and liberation (Chopin para 2). She changes her point of view and adjusts her expectations due to the new information she discovers. Her sister Josephine is a level character because she appears briefly to deliver the news of her husband’s death, and her role in the narrative is limited. Brently Mallard is believed to be a flat character because his represented only as someone who assists in Louise’s transformation from grief to joy. Thus, the characters are considered static, or dynamic, depending on their respective roles.
Stereotypical Manner of Characters
In my view, the main female characters are depicted in a somewhat stereotypical manner. Firstly, Louise Mallard is portrayed as a weak and emotional woman overwhelmed with grief due to her husband’s death (Chopin para 2). She is viewed as a submissive and passive character whose emotions shifts based on situations. Mrs. Richards, Louise’s friend, is shown as a caring figure who looks after Louise and assists her through her emotional distress. Though these characters do fit certain stereotypes of women, Chopin presents them in a more nuanced manner. For instance, Louise’s joy upon learning of her husband’s death is portrayed as a kind of freedom, indicating that she is more than just a passive figure. The complexity of the characters shows that Chopin is more than willing to challenge conventional gender roles.
Moreover, Mrs. Mallard is shown to be a housewife, obedient to her husband and expected to adhere to established traditional gender roles. She is portrayed as a meek and submissive woman who her husband oppresses (Chopin para 10). On the other hand, Louise Mallard is depicted in a more complex way, with her shock turning to joy as she realizes that her newfound freedom will give her a chance to live as she wishes. However, her joy is ultimately seen as unnatural, and she is anticipated to return to the traditional role of a woman quickly. Thus, Chopin’s characters are depicted in a manner that is sympathetic to their desires and still engrained in traditional gender roles.
There is a possibility that Chopin was somehow aware of gender stereotypes in her depictions. She demonstrates some knowledge of the oppression of women in marriage, which is a common stereotype (Chopin para 10). For instance, when the husband dies, Mrs. Mallard felt a new sense of freedom and she was happy that she is no longer confined to a husband. This demonstrates that Chopin was conscious of how difficult it was for women to be married at the time. In addition, the protagonist’s guilt for being relieved at her husband’s death indicates Chopin’s knowledge of societal expectations for women to be in mourning (Chopin para 12). Therefore, it seems that the author was cognizant of the gender stereotypes of her time and used this knowledge to craft the story.
Conclusion
Kate Chopin provides an insightful exploration of the roles of women in society. Mrs. Mallard is a round and dynamic character whose reaction to her husband’s death reveals the complexity of her thoughts and emotions. Similarly, Josephine is shown to be sympathetic, and her attempts to protect Mrs. Mallard from further distress demonstrate her value for her friend’s wellbeing. Although there are certainly gender stereotypes in the story, it is clear that Chopin was cognizant of the limitations placed on women. Thus, the story offers an interesting point of view on the lives of women in the 19th century and society’s attitudes at the time.
Work Cited
Chopin, Kate. “The Story of an Hour.” American Literature, Web.