‘The Story of An Hour’ – Kate Chopin Year 11 (English Literature)

What is Feminism?

The feminist legacy of Chopin In 1975 Susan Cahill called the story "one of feminism's sacred texts," and many readers have since concluded that Kate Chopin's sensitivity to what it sometimes feels like to be a woman is on prominent display in this work. Last lesson, we discussed the use of nature and the seasons. Spring is very prominent in this story – what could that represent?

Analysing a Key Quote From the short story: "There would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature.“ What might this quote suggest how Chopin felt about the relationships between men and women and marriage in particular?

Characters and Setting The story is set in the late nineteenth century in the home of Louise Mallard. More about the location is not specified. Characters: Louise Mallard Brently Mallard: husband of Louise Josephine: sister of Louise Richards; friend of Brently Mallard

Plot Summary Today, you are going to create your own plot summary by using the following prompt questions: What is the story about? What language and literary techniques does Chopin use to highlight how Mrs Mallard felt about the apparent death of her husband? What happens at the end? What was Chopin’s message?

Set Essay – Thursday 18th September “Show how Chopin memorably explores the nature of marriages in The Storm and The Story Of An Hour” You should refer to: - what happens in both stories and what these events might suggest about marriage (and Chopin’s views about relationships between men and women) - the use of symbolism and nature in these two stories - the contrasting ends of these two stories - why these stories were important Spend no longer than 40 minutes on this task