Any piece of literature may be better understood through a thorough analysis of the work. Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour-, written in new modern feminism, is an exciting short fiction mainly expressing the possessive, rather than loving relations between a husband and wife. The reader is first introduced to Mrs. Mallard and learns she is "afflicted with heart trouble- as a result, "great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death."" This is perhaps the only hint of an exposition. The news of his death also acts as the complication leading to the rest of the story. After learning of her husband's death in a train wreck, she feels free and it is now observed that Mrs. Mallard did not perhaps genuinely love her husband; instead she was merely one of his possessions. Just as Louise, name now revealed, realizes definitely that she is free, her husband returns. This scene is the climax of the story. Her new knowledge is followed by the falling action; she is so overwhelmed with emotion, or perhaps disappointment, that she dies on the spot. The last line comes nearest to a resolution, "When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease "of the joy that kills."" .
First, begin by examining plot in terms of Freytag's pyramid. The events of Freytag's pyramid are very obscure in this story. One may not easily define an exposition, climax or resolution; however, one may make an attempt. The first line of the story begins in medias ras, or in the middle of things. This element is included to entice the reader to move along into the story. The first line begins with the knowledge that Mrs. Mallard's husband, Brently, has perished in a train wreck. Also, the fact that Mrs. Mallard has a heart problem is conveyed. As a result, the news of his death is given to her gently by Richards, a friend of her husband's, as well as by her sister, Josephine.
