literary analysis

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Literary Analysis: “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” can be easily passed off as a normal story with an unsurprising ending, but a deep analysis and comprehension of the story reveal a very strong but subtle statement on women’s rights and humanity. The title of the story is used to signify the briefness of the story as it is very short with the events unfolding fast. Kate Chopin uses the various literary elements to show how marriage is more of confining roles dominated by servitude rather than loving partnerships.
One of the literary elements utilized by Chopin to pass her message is imagery. An example of imagery used in the story is when Mrs. Mallard starts to comprehend the consequences of the death of her husband on her life. The author states that Mrs. Mallard’s bosom began to fall and rise tumultuously (Chopin 13). This literary device can also be found when Mrs. Mallard utters some words after her shock on hearing her husband’s death: “When she abandoned herself, a little-whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips.” (Chopin 13).
Symbolism has been used strongly in the story to demonstrate how men used to treat their wives in the Victorian Era. Chopin demonstrates the feelings that women held towards the chauvinistic attitudes of men when she quotes Mrs. Mallard: “There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself….