Story of an Hour

1. Story of an Hour By: Kate Chopin

2. Characters Main Character • Mrs. Mallard Supporting Characters • Mr. Mallard • Josephine • Richard

3. Summary • In the beginning of the story, Mrs. Mallard had heart trouble and Josephine was afraid to tell her that her husband died in a train wreck. • After Josephine told Mrs. Mallard, she went to her room and cried, but after a while, she realized that she is now free from her husband. • When her husband came back through the door, she got a heart attack and “died of a joy that kills”

4. Setting and Theme • Mrs. Mallard’s home • Some major themes are independence, identity, and selfhood

5. Plot Structure • Exposition-Mrs. Mallard has heart troubles • Hook-Mrs. Mallard was told that her husband died • Rising Action-How Mrs. Mallard is coping with the death and she finally said that she is free • Climax-Mr. Mallard comes back • Falling Action-Josephine’s piercing cry as Richard shields Mrs. Mallard from her husband • Resolution-Mrs. Mallard dies

6. Point of View • Presented in third person, but at times allow insight into Mrs. Mallard’s head

7. Quiz Question • What are some of the major themes in the story? • What do you think was the main reason why Mrs. Mallard died? (Shock, her husband came back, etc.) • What point of view is the story written in? • What was the narrative hook of the story?