The Story Of An Hour

The Story Of An Hour takes a surprising turn at the end. Before knowing what does happen in the end, the reader is lead to believe that Louise Mallard's husband has passed. I will discuss some passages that reinforce this belief. The bulk of the story seems to focus on her reaction to the news of her husband's passing. The first indication that the news is true is on page 193. Richards stayed long enough to hear a second telegram stating the message of the train accident and those involved. Louise Mallard goes through all the emotions of hearing of the loss of a loved one. She weeps wildly in her sister's arms. She goes to her room alone and stares off into space for some time. She has a sudden realization that this may be a new life for her. It is at this point that the reader may think that she is off to a new life of freedom, or perhaps something drastic is going to change everything. On page 194 this idea is again reinforced by the passage, "She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind tender hands folded in death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her, fixed and gray and dead." (194) This passage sounds very final. "There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself." (194) These passages certainly suggest the new free life that is to come for her. However, they are only suggestions. It is not a guarantee to the ending that is to come. The ending is ironic in that she finds new life in her husbands's death however, she dies at the realization of his life.