Mrs. Mallards Reflections on Life in Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Ho

Anyone who receives notice of a loved ones death is never expected to take it lightly. In Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour,† Mrs. Mallard is informed of her husbands â€Å"death† as gently as possible, and immediately she understands the enormous significance this loss will have on her life. Unlike many widow’s, her feelings of utter devastation do not last. Mrs. Mallard’s sobs of loss turn to cries of joy after she reflects upon her own character and discovers truths about her marriage. As any woman would, Mrs. Mallard initially â€Å"wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment,† (227) at the news of her husband’s death. Her weeping almost seems forced as Mrs. Mallard’s true character is revealed later on. She is described as â€Å"young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength† (227). Though Mrs. Mallard is still youthful, she has much more knowledge, and personal strength than others her age possess. Her extended knowledge and experience leads to realization of the position her husband’s death has put her in, and that this death might actually bett...