preview

Symbolism And Mental Images In Kate Chopin's The Story An Hour

Decent Essays

The symbolism and mental images that are used by Kate Chopin in her work The Story an Hour, gives the audience a sense of Mrs. Mallard’s new beginning emerging right before her through the “open window” (Meyer 15). During this time Mrs. Mallard experiences what the majority of people wish for in their lives, liberty and joy. The significance of her independence is comprehended by her when she spends an hour sitting in a “comfortable, roomy armchair” and goes through a change (Meyer 15). When the author uses the season of Spring, she symbolizes the idea of new beginnings and independence after Mrs. Mallard receives the news of her husband’s death.
From the moment Mrs. Mallard finds out the news of the death of her husband, Chopin immediately begins using vivid descriptions. “When the storm of grief has spent itself” lets the readers know about a theme slanted towards the weather (Meyer 15). This also gives the audience a mental image of a dim and ferocious scenery that signifies demise and grief. The way Mrs. Mallard reacts at first is what society would deem normal and to be expected. One can come into a conclusion that she is a sentimental and affectionate person due to her initial reaction. Mrs. Mallard is not uncaring and knows she will cry once more when she sees her husband’s body.
As soon as she receives the …show more content…

Mallard exited the room, “there was a feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory” (Meyer 16). The “goddess of victory” symbolizes Louise’s victory over suppression, or the “powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence…right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature” which she had felt so constrained by in her marriage (Meyer 16). She realizes her life is now finally secure since she whispers “free”. The phrasing used represents her as a freed prisoner that has been incarcerated her whole life. As she “spreads her arms open”, she symbolically submits to her renaissance. (Meyer

Get Access