During the nineteenth century, women were viewed differently than they are today. Women were judged by others by their purity and domesticity. Kate Chopin, often called a women before her time, wrote the short story, "The Story of an Hour" to demonstrate the how women were treated in the nineteenth century. Chopin's theme in "The Story of an Hour" exhibits Louise Mallard's struggle to find her identity against the faction of womanhood that women experienced in the nineteenth century. .
Throughout the story, Chopin demonstrates that in the nineteenth century even women that were in a loving marriages were not allowed to express their true self and voice. It was not until Mrs. Mallard learned of her husband's death was she able to let her true self come out and really start to live. When locked in her room she looks out of the window and sees "trees that were all aquiver with new spring life" (Chopin 15). Here Chopin uses symbolism to show that Mrs. Mallard is starting a new life without her husband. She becomes excited and her pulse starts to beat faster. Then she envisioned her future, "But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession years to come that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome" (Chopin 15). Mrs. Mallard was excited about beginning to start her new life alone, without her husband. .
Within the course of an hour, Louise Mallard experiences fresh freedoms, a new sense of life, and then death. She finally comes to realize how she truly feels about her husband and what life would be without him. She finds herself letting go of her past, "Free! Body and soul free!" she recites to herself (Chopin 15). As she glared out of her window, new life breathed into her and she thought what it would be like to be free, "she was drinking in a very elixir of life"( Chopin 16). During one hour Mrs. Mallard learns what it would be like to be her own person.