Choplin: The Story of an Hour

Choplin's short story, written in 1894, offers many insights regarding what the life of a young American wife might have been like during that time period. Wai-chee Dimock's commentary titled,  “Kate Chopin”, from Modern American Women Writers explains this well when they remark on Choplin's similar novel The Awakening, stating how, even with the "New Woman" phenomenon movement, "gender inequality remained a glaring fact at the turn of the century." Mrs. Mallard goes through a wild ride of emotions, as they process the news of their husband's death. She experiences a wave of grief; and then, after taking time to herself, also acknowledges feelings of liberation and expresses hope for her future. Choplin writes, "There was a feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory." This story represents the oppression women were experiencing during a time of change. She talks about a realization around a n...