Birds Die Too :: essays research papers

Birds Die TooIn Kate Chopins Story of the Hour, several elements contri bute to the overall meaning of the story itself. Her wipeout is foreshadowed in the beginning when it mentions that she was afflicted with heart trouble. Because of this, when her sister told her that her husband had died, it was done so delicately. After Mrs. Mallard is told, is where the story really begins to set a stones throw of elegiac settings, and how she is expressing herself is in direct contrast to weather, i.e. the storm of grief. When Mrs. Mallard goes to her room and sits down to rest, she begins to notice how lovely the weather is outside, and here the tone takes a sudden change from elegiac to soothing and peaceful. She notices the trees that are aquiver with new spring life and the delicious breath of rain. Not only are these segments directly related to her change of emotion, but they are also foreshadowing the Birjoy she leave behind feel momentarily. She begins to realize she is free from whatever responsibilities she held to her husband, and is consumed with monstrous joy that she will be living for herself. Other symbols besides the weather, is also the bird she first notices when she first retires to her room to be alone with her grief. The birds are joyous, singing, and carefree of any limitations. too the door when her sister, Louise, begs her to open the door. She is also symbolically opening the door to her new life, the one she will watch in total liberation with the restraints of her husband. She begins to also panorama at life with new eyes, seeing it in a different light, no longer seeing as a life of repression. She loved him, but not as much as she suddenly loves herself. This is a reaction that should be expected from her, however, it is not widely popular (due to when this story was written). She had been married expecting to live her life playing the perfect little wife, and had actually almost managed to convince herself that she enjoyed it. How ever, when she realizes her freedom, she is ecstatic, as any sane person would be. And even though her husband was manifestly a good, kind man whom she never looked upon with anything but love she was still not living for herself, and no one can be truly happy if they arent happy with themselves first.