Exploring the Narrative Techniques in The Story of an Hour

Abstract

This paper examines the narrative techniques in Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour and their role in articulating feminist themes within the context of 19th-century patriarchal constraints. The story follows Mrs. Mallard’s transformative journey from a repressed wife to a newly awakened individual embracing freedom, albeit briefly. Through techniques such as the third-person limited point of view, contrastive symbolism, multisensory imagery, shifts in tone and mood, and a carefully structured three-act rhythm, Chopin critiques societal expectations that suppress women’s autonomy. The narrative’s ironic twists further underscore the societal limitations imposed on women. The analysis reveals that these techniques collectively amplify three central themes: the complexity of human emotions, as Mrs. Mallard’s feelings evolve from grief to nuanced liberation; the constraints of societal expectations, which stifled women’s autonomy; and the quest for freedom and self-identity, as Mrs. Mallard briefly experiences selfhood before her tragic demise. Chopin’s craftsmanship underscores the tension between individual freedom and societal repression.