6 Questions
Who informs Mrs. Mallard of her husband's death?
Her sister and her husband's friend
What does Mrs. Mallard see outside her window that symbolizes new beginnings and growth?
Signs of new life in the trees and the air
What is the twist ending of the story?
Mrs. Mallard's husband walks in the door, alive and well, causing her to die of shock
According to the story, why does Mrs. Mallard initially weep in her sister's arms?
She is overwhelmed by the news of her husband's death
What does Mrs. Mallard see outside her window that makes her feel a sense of new life?
Signs of spring in the trees and the air
What is the main theme of the story?
The desire for freedom and self-assertion
Study Notes
"The Story of an Hour" Summary
- Mrs. Mallard, who has a heart condition, is informed of her husband's death by her sister and her husband's friend, Richards.
- She immediately weeps in her sister's arms, then retreats to her room alone.
- Sitting in an armchair and looking out the window, she sees signs of new life in the trees and the air.
- She begins to feel something approaching her, but she doesn't know what it is.
- She tries to resist it, but eventually gives in and whispers "free, free, free!"
- She realizes that she is now free to live for herself, without the influence of her husband's will.
- She acknowledges that she loved her husband, but that love is not as important as her newfound sense of self-assertion.
- Her sister begs her to open the door, but Mrs. Mallard refuses, enjoying the fresh air and imagining a future of her own.
- She prays that life will be long, even though she had previously feared a long life.
- The story takes place in the spring, symbolizing new beginnings and growth.
- Mrs. Mallard's desire for freedom and self-assertion is a common theme in feminist literature.
- The story ends with a twist, as Mrs. Mallard's husband walks in the door, alive and well, causing her to die of shock.
"The Story of an Hour" Summary
- Mrs. Mallard, who has a heart condition, is informed of her husband's death by her sister and her husband's friend, Richards.
- She immediately weeps in her sister's arms, then retreats to her room alone.
- Sitting in an armchair and looking out the window, she sees signs of new life in the trees and the air.
- She begins to feel something approaching her, but she doesn't know what it is.
- She tries to resist it, but eventually gives in and whispers "free, free, free!"
- She realizes that she is now free to live for herself, without the influence of her husband's will.
- She acknowledges that she loved her husband, but that love is not as important as her newfound sense of self-assertion.
- Her sister begs her to open the door, but Mrs. Mallard refuses, enjoying the fresh air and imagining a future of her own.
- She prays that life will be long, even though she had previously feared a long life.
- The story takes place in the spring, symbolizing new beginnings and growth.
- Mrs. Mallard's desire for freedom and self-assertion is a common theme in feminist literature.
- The story ends with a twist, as Mrs. Mallard's husband walks in the door, alive and well, causing her to die of shock.
Take this quiz to test your knowledge of "The Story of an Hour" summary. See how well you remember the key events, themes, and symbols of this classic short story by Kate Chopin. Challenge yourself and discover new insights into the feminist themes that the author explores in this captivating and thought-provoking tale.
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