Mrs. Mallard, the protagonist of Kate Chopin's short story "The Story of an Hour," is a complex and intriguing character. Though she initially appears to be a typical, submissive wife, Mrs. Mallard reveals herself to be a strong and independent woman upon learning of her husband's death.
At the beginning of the story, Mrs. Mallard is described as having a "heart trouble," which suggests that she may be physically fragile and emotionally sensitive. This is further emphasized by the careful way in which her husband's friend, Richards, breaks the news of her husband's death to her. Richards and Mrs. Mallard's sister, Josephine, fear that the shock of the news will be too much for her, and so they try to break it to her gently.
Despite their efforts to protect her, Mrs. Mallard reacts to the news of her husband's death with a mixture of emotions. Initially, she feels a sense of shock and disbelief, as is expected when receiving such devastating news. However, as she retreats to her bedroom and is left alone to process her grief, Mrs. Mallard begins to feel a sense of liberation and freedom. She realizes that her husband's death has given her a new sense of independence and the ability to live her life on her own terms.
This revelation is a significant moment in the story, as it reveals the true nature of Mrs. Mallard's character. Despite being a wife and a mother, Mrs. Mallard has always been restricted by the expectations of her gender and her role in society. With her husband's death, she is suddenly free from these constraints and is able to embrace her own desires and independence.
Mrs. Mallard's transformation is further emphasized when she looks out the window and sees the beauty of the spring day. She is filled with a sense of joy and renewal, and the descriptions of the trees and the sky are infused with a sense of hope and possibility. This is in contrast to the initial descriptions of Mrs. Mallard as being trapped and oppressed, and it highlights the transformative power of her husband's death in allowing her to embrace her own identity and independence.
Ultimately, Mrs. Mallard's character is a nuanced and complex one, and her reaction to her husband's death reveals her to be a strong and independent woman. Despite being constrained by the expectations of her gender and society, she is able to find freedom and a sense of self in the wake of her husband's death. This makes her a memorable and memorable character, and one that continues to resonate with readers today.
