This specific event may be seen as the exposition. It sets the scene for the rest of the story and the reader may also deduce that this also serves as the complication. The following rising action follows with Mrs. Mallard's reaction. After hearing the news, Mrs. Mallard immediately begins weeping. This reaction is not typical. It is understood that most women go through a period of denial upon knowledge of such news. Mrs. Mallard then retreats to her room and after a short time makes the proclamation, "free, free, free."" For the first time since her marriage, she is free from all ties to her husband. She admits, "she had loved her husband "only sometimes."" After acclimating to her new situation, she is faced with her ultimate worst nightmare; her husband returns. Brently Mallard's return is the climax of the story. The return and events that follow are also the falling action and resolution. Mrs. Mallard's sister attempts to retrieve her from the room. Mrs. Mallard finally introduced to the reader by her real name, Louise. She descends the stairs to find her husband and dies immediately, of what the doctors said was, "the joy that kills."" .
The narration is third person limited omniscient. While the writer has great knowledge about the current goings on, she has only limited knowledge of the Mallard's relationship or their situation at home. She is not aware of the specifics of Mrs. Mallard's heart condition and she has no clue about Brently's feelings toward his wife. .
Characters in this story play a key role in understanding the piece. First, the reader is introduced to Mrs. Mallard. She is a woman with "heart trouble- and is definitely emotionally unstable. While sobbing in the room, Mrs. Mallard is described vividly by the narrator. The narrator suggest that she is young, but acts maturely for her age. She possesses "a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky.