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- 11/16 questions on "The Story of an Hour"
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2) A very short story called “The Story of an Hour”:
http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/hour/
The story is told in real-time, which means it takes an hour, hence its title.
It also has irony at the end and foreshadowing at the beginning: “[…]Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble.”
a) Notice that the wife’s first name is not said right away. Why do you think that is?
b) How old would you say this married couple is? Do they have children?
c) Were you disturbed by her reaction to the news of the husband’s death?
d) When she speaks of being “free,” what does freedom mean?
Do you want to get married one day?
Do you feel you will lose your freedom when you get married?
If marriage is being criticized, why do people still get married and why do gay and lesbian couples want to get married?
Is marriage for emotional security or financial security?
e) When Mrs. Mallard dies, why does she die? What do the other characters think is the reason for her death?
(We know the real reason, but they do not.)
f) Do you think the narrator, who shows the woman’s thoughts, is criticizing men?
But notice: she says, “There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature.” Perhaps she is being fair to or critical of both men and women.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1) I believe her first name was hidden for the sake of preserving her identity. If her first name isn’t said it connects her more to the idea of marriage. It makes her seem more of a widow.
It could be the author’s way of saying her identity is as a wife, not as an individual.
2) I believe that this married couple is very young. Based on the lack of kids I would guess they are in their twenties or thirties.
3) I was slightly disturbed by her reaction to her husband’s death. She showed immense grieve at the news of her husband’s passing. But it was too short. Like it was faked.
4) Freedom means being able to do whatever you want. But in this scenario, the main character is “free” from the shackles of marriage. She can live her life not bound by one person.
5) I do want to get married one day. But when I’m older and I truly feel I’m ready to start a family.
6) Yeah I do feel I’ll lose some of my freedom when getting married. It’s a time when you settle down. Where you devote all your energy to making a life for yourself and your special one. Of course, you’ll lose some freedom for yourself.
7) Due to the fact people do it out for love for another person. Gay and Lesbian people want to marry too because they feel the same way. Just because it’s different, doesn’t make it any less special.
8) Marriage can be for both emotional and financial security. People don’t marry just for love alone. They could do it to financially support each other or to fulfill their needs and even achieve their dreams and values.
9) She dies due to the overwhelming joy she feels at finally being free from her marriage. The possibilities of the future were too much to handle. Everyone else thought she perished out of grief. Quite ironic to say the least.
Well, the real irony is that her happiness to be free only lasted minutes and she was shocked to see him alive! Easy come, easy go.
10) I believe the narrator is criticizing both men and women on their belief of the concept of marriage. She is trying to say that you don’t have to get married in order to truly be happy. You should consider marriage when you are physically and mentally ready to do so. It is a major turning point, and we should treat it as such.
Nice comments, Jaheim.
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