The Story of an Hour

            In the short story, The Story of an Hour, the setting takes place at Mr. and Mrs. Mallard’s home. The characters are Louise Mallard, the housewife, Brently Mallard, the husband, Josephene, Mrs. Mallard’s sister, and Richards, Josephene’s husband’s friend. A tragic problem occurs when Mrs. Mallard comes down the stairs.

            After Josephene receives the news of Mr. Mallard’s death from the railroad disaster, she has to inform Mrs. Mallard of the news very wisely and carefully. Josephene tells her in hints and slow sentences.  Mrs. Mallard has heart trouble and too much of a shock might cause a heart attack. As soon as Mrs. Mallard gets the hint, she runs upstairs weeping. This is the rising action.

            Mrs. Mallard stares out the window and sees the tops of trees and partial blue sky. She cries and sobs like a baby while slouching in a cushioned chair. A thought comes into her mind but she can’t process it. Then it comes to her. She is free. There would be no one for her to live for anymore. She did love her husband though, most of the time at least. Then she hears her sister outside the door begging for her to come out. This is also part of the rising action.

            Mrs. Mallard explains that she is okay and they both walk down the stairs. Someone opens the door with a latchkey and Mr. Mallard walks in. Richards tries to hide him but it is too late and Mrs. Mallard sees him alive. This is the climax. He is completely unharmed and was far away from the accident. It turns out that Mrs. Mallard suffered from a heart disease-of a joy that kills. This is the falling action and the resolution is that Mrs. Mallard dies.