1. The Story of an Hour Kate Chopin

2. Kate Chopin (1850-1904)  An American author  Married at 20 and was widowed by the age of 32  Turned to writing as a source of income  Considered a forerunner to the feminist writing if the 20 th century

3. Historical Context: First Wave Feminism, 1848-1920  Women’s Suffrage Movement  Oppressed by patriarchal society  Constrained by traditional roles  Angel in the House

4.  Title  The title of the short story refers to the time elapsed between the moments at which the protagonist, Louise Mallard, hears that her husband is dead and discovers that he is alive after all. The Story of an Hour Kate Chopin

5.  Characters  Mrs. Louise Mallard  Mr. Brently Mallard  Josephine  Richards The Story of an Hour Kate Chopin

6. Irony  The difference between what is said and what is meant. What is said and what actually occurs.  Three types of irony  Verbal  Situational  Dramatic

7.  Tone  An ironically detached and melancholy tone  Third-person narrative  The non-participant narrator provides access to Mrs. Mallard's life  Characterization  Kate Chopin brought attention to the racial issues that existed during the times of slavery  Marriage vs. Freedom  Mrs. Mallard believes that both women and men limit each other in matrimony The Story of an Hour Kate Chopin

8.  Symbolism  Spring  Heart disease  Armchair  Goddess of victory The Story of an Hour Kate Chopin