Kate Chopin: A Pioneer of Early Feminist Thought.
Throughout the history of mankind, women have played a subservient role in society. It has only been very recently that women's rights have dramatically improved. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Kate Chopin wrote literature, which espoused radical and provocative ideas about women's role in society. Chopin's work was groundbreaking and controversial. In "The Story of an Hour", Chopin relates the negative consequences resulting from society's undermining nature toward women, to the dramatic death of Louise Mallard. At the time in which "The Story of an Hour" is set, women were considered to be possessions belonging to their husbands. Men were expected to be the bread winners of the family, while women were charged with domestic responsibilities. The accepted belief was that women, being the "weaker sex," were constitutionally dependent on their husbands.
Louise Mallard is used to microcosmically represent the women of the world. Louise is portrayed as being extremely frail and is plagued by some type of heart troubles. Chopin uses Louise's character to convey society's view of women as being frail creatures. The truth is, that Louise breaks the mold of convention and realizes the beauty of freedom. Louise is an extraordinary character; despite society's constraints, she decides she will be free in life or in death. .
Josephine and Richards represent society and their behavior is representative of contemporary ideals. Richards assumes the man's role, in Mr. Mallard's sudden absence. Richards feels that he must protect Louise from, "Less tender friends" (Chopin 244). Josephine is unable to directly address Brently's death to Louise, Josephine's words are, "Veiled hints that revealed in half concealing" (Chopin 244). Like Richards, Josephine feels that she must protect Louise from the news. Josephine also feels the need to protect Louise from personal harm, when Louise locks herself in a room.