Write a literary analysis of Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour
Nature imagery (birds, trees, spring, the sky, and a storm) is prevalent in The Story of an What do these images suggest about Louise Mallard and her situation? Is she in tune with nature or in conflict with it and in what way(s)? What does this indicate about her character? (Strategies that may help you understand the imagery: formalist, archetypal, maybe gender)
A window, two doors, and a staircase serve as significant architectural symbols in the story. How do they relate to the protagonists character? What do they suggest about the other characters? Does this suggest something about women or another subset of people in general? (Strategies that may help you understand the symbols: formalist and gender, possibly with elements of cultural)
The Story of an Hour uses some of the characters physical traits or characteristics as representative of their emotional makeup. Explain what each of these physical traits symbolizes. Do the characters personalities match their features? How does this help to make the theme (or point) of the story clearer? (Strategies that may help you understand the significance of the features: formalist and/or psychological, possibly with elements of historical and gender)
Consider how the minor characters (Josephine, Richards, Brently Mallard, and the doctors) in The Story of an Hour treat the main female character. Do you think these other people really understand what she is thinking and feeling? Why or why not? What does this suggest about all the characters (male and female) and/or the society in which they live? (Strategies that may help you understand the relationships: gender, psychological, and/or historical)
