The Story of an Hour

“Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.”

The first sentence of the story creates narrative tension and life-or-death stakes by establishing Louise’s precarious physical condition. This opening line also establishes the situational irony of the story, as the news of Brently’s death is incorrect.

“She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves.”

Immediately following the news of Brently’s death, Chopin presents Louise with these images of renewed life. The inclusion of the “street peddler” among images of nature indicates that human life continues after tragedy, reminding Louise of the social, interpersonal opportunities now available to her.

“But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought.”

Louise becomes preoccupied with the patch of blue sky, symbolizing her fixation on the advantages rather than disadvantages of widowhood. By “suspension of intelligent thought,” Chopin indicates that Louise is experiencing an intuitive and subconscious realization, rather than logically or methodically deducing the benefits of widowhood. Louise’s rich emotional life drives the action of the narrative.