Setting

Physical setting

The short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin presents events that take place over an hour, as the title indicates. This is the very short period of time in which Louise Mallard is able to experience a feeling of freedom. In a more symbolic way, it also points to the very small amount of time in which women at the turn of the 19th century were able to feel free in their lives.

The events take place in Louise Mallard’s house. After hearing the news of her husband’s death, Louise Mallard retreats into her room, which becomes a significant point of the physical setting. Louise retreating to her room suggests she rejects Josephine and Richard’s attempts to comfort her and chooses instead to analyze her husband’s death on her own. This could be considered Louise’s first step towards independence. Louise’s room is the place where she discovers her freedom and begins to see the new possibilities in her future. The open window also plays an important role, as Louise looks at the view outside:

She could see in the open sq...