Story of an Hour

In paragraph 5 of the story I think the author is trying to get the reader to relate to the images Mrs. Mallard is viewing. The sentences create an image in the readers mind so they can feel as if they are standing next to the character. The author also delves into more than one of the human senses but talking about the smell in the air. "The delicious breath of rain was in the air" (Chopin, 193) is so detailed and deep it allows me to remind myself of that actual smell. When Chopin talks about Mrs. Mallards "suspension of thought" in paragraph 7 I believe she is talking about her state of mind. The descriptions of Mrs. Mallards manner throughout the story shows how detached she truly is from the situation. She is in the grieving process and isn't quite in touch with reality. As te story goes on the author portrays Mrs. Mallard as feeling free. I think this is where the story takes a turn in her demeanor. I think one of the most important passages in the story is when Mrs. Mallard is describing how her life will go on without her husband. "There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself.......and yet she had loved him-sometimes. Often she had not" (Chopin, 194). This part from the passage is very powerful. It shows her desire to live for herself and that she finally felt free of the walls her husband had built around her. This shows the stories significance because it emphasizes the power many man have over the women in their lives. Many are just waiting to break free, and unfortunately for Mrs. Mallard, that might have been what abruptly ended her life.