The Story of an Hour
Essentially, women have undergone many suffrages in the hand of men in patriarchal societies. The male-dominated world has, over the years, subjected women to discrimination and many inequalities. Kate Chopin’s work, The Story of an Hour, is a precise description of what many women go through under the domination of male chauvinism. The title is a true attention-grabber and beckons the reader to the mesmerizing details of the writings. In this case, the hour is symbolic of the little period of joy that one of the characters enjoyed. Chopin characterizes Mrs. Mallard, the wife, Josephine, her sister, and Richards, a friend to Mallard’s husband. Mr. Mallard is supposedly dead at the beginning of the article, but in the end, it is revealed that he was alive. Chopin’s characterization of Louise Mallard reveals that she lives in fear and is bound by her marriage. Also, she is used to portraying the oppression inherent in domestic life for married women.
Indeed, many women suffer in silence, and they remain stuck in unhealthy marriages. The belief that women should submit to their husbands is perhaps one reason women don’t speak out. On the contrary, they take solace because maybe all the pain and suffering will go away with the mighty hand of death. After she is informed of her husband’s death, her sister expects Mrs. Mallard to be sorrowful and torn. However, she hides in a room to celebrate the newfound freedom. “But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely” (Chopin, 1894). Evidently, Mrs. Mallard had been unhappy with the marriage, and she felt tied up by her husband. She seemingly feels the encroaching years of freedom that would ensue her husband’s death. This shows that despite the outer emotional strengths, many women go through many difficulties.
Furthermore, many women in patriarchal marriages often love their husbands. Even with the abuse and discrimination, there is the element of love in a relationship. After she starts feeling joyful, Mrs. Mallard thinks of the different ways that her husband treated her, and even though she was happy when Mr. Mallard died, she still loved him. Mrs. Mallard is sited in her room, enjoying the view outside and pondering about her new life. “She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her, fixed and gray and dead” (Chopin 1894). Evidently, these women try to work on their relationships and bring about changes that have not been visible over the years. During the process, they fall in love with their abusive spouses and rarely escape from the marriages. ‘
Finally, women suffer from mental stresses and breakdowns when they are exposed to an abusive relationship. During the work of literature, Mrs. Mallard is happy that her husband is dead, and when it turns out he is not, it becomes catastrophic. “When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease–of the joy that kills” (Chopin 1894). Essentially, the woman was too happy that her troubles were gone. This triggers an emotional breakdown that can lead to serious health issues.
All in all, women arguably suffer within patriarchal societies. First, they don’t easily speak out, and most of their issues are concealed within their hearts. Secondly, many oppressed women indeed love their abusers. Also, women in patriarchal societies suffer from a mental breakdown. A reminder of pain and suffering often overtakes the slight feeling of success.
Bibliography
Kate Chopin, The Story of an Hour, 1894.