Structure

The story has a linear structure, as it begins when Louise Mallard learns of her husband’s death and ends when she realizes that the news of his death was false. As the title suggests, the story takes place over exactly one hour. 

Most of the story takes place within Louise’s mind, as we experience her thoughts and emotions as they come to her following the dramatic news she receives. There is an interesting development in Lousie’s thoughts and emotions, as she starts out by feeling shock and grief, but eventually begins to feel joy and independence as she starts to consider her future. Her inner journey from grief to joy forms the main plot of the story, as there is not a lot actually happening apart from the two pieces of news about her husband she receives at the beginning and the end. 

We also see examples of foreshadowing in the story. Most directly, the…