Mrs. Mallards Reflections on Life in Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Ho

Anyone who receives notice of a loved ones dying is never expected to take it lightly. In Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour, Mrs. mallard is informed of her husbands death as gently as possible, and immediately she understands the enormous significance this loss will have on her life. Unlike many widows, her feelings of utter bareness do not last. Mrs. Mallards sobs of loss turn to cries of joy after she reflects upon her own guinea pig and discovers truths about her marriage.As any woman would, Mrs. Mallard initially wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, (227) at the news of her husbands death. Her weeping almost seems forced as Mrs. Mallards true character is revealed later on. She is described as young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength (227). Though Mrs. Mallard is still youthful, she has much to a greater extent knowledge, and personal strength than others her age possess. Her extended knowledge and experience leads to r ealization of the position her husbands death has put her in, and that this death might real bett...