Tasks: The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

Work with a partner and discuss the following questions. Write your answers in a shared document.

1. Describe the relationship between the Mallards. Is Mr Mallard unkind to Mrs Mallard, or is there some other reason for her saying "free, free, free!" when she hears of his death? How does she feel about her husband?

2. What is the nature of Mrs Mallard's 'heart trouble'? And why do you think the author mentions this in the first paragraph? Can the main character's 'heart trouble' be interpreted as something more than a literal, physical condition?

3. Read the paragraph that starts with "She could see in the open square ..." In this passage, the surroundings outside Mrs Mallard’s window are described in great detail (the open window, the scent of rain and spring, a song, sparrows, patches of blue sky). What do you think the details suggest?How do you interpret all this?

4. The main character goes through a transformation while she sits in her armchair. Point out some lines that illustrate this change.

5. Explain the meaning of the following passage: "She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long".

6. What is the theme of the short story? Is the theme relevant to modern readers?

7. Describe the setting of the short story and consider whether the setting is linked to the theme of the story.

8. What is the message of the short story? Is that message relevant for modern readers?

Close read the text and pick five or six different quotations from the text that you believe are essential to the theme of the story. Explain why you have chosen these passages.

Share your answers in class.

This short story was written in 1894. Find out more about the situation for women in the United States at that time: What rights did they have? What roles were they expected to fill? What were their opportunities and limitations in life?

In light of what you find, explain why the short story 'The Story of an Hour' was so controversial at the time.

Share your findings in a group or in class.

After Mrs Mallard's funeral, Josephine, Richard, and Mr Mallard talk about what has happened. They all tell their side of the story and how they experienced the events leading up to Mrs Mallard's tragic death.

In groups of three, write the conversation between the characters. You may write the conversation in full or write key words that you can use to improvise the conversation.

Relevant questions to consider:

For Richard and Josephine: What did they think when they first heard about the death of Mr Mallard? How did they plan to break the news to Mrs Mallard? What were their worries? What did they make of Mrs Mallard's reaction to the news? What did they think were her feelings?

For Mr Mallard: How did he experience the situation as he came through the door? What were his true feelings for his wife? And what did he think his wife felt for him? How does he now see the future?

Perform the conversation in groups or in front of the class.

Pick one of the tasks and write a longer text. If you use sources, make sure to include references and a source list.

1. Make a modern version of the story. Can you think of anyone who would feel that they are in Mrs Mallard's position today? How might a similar version of this story play out for that person?

2. Write a text where you discuss the following questions: What view of marriage does Kate Chopin present in this story, and how does it compare with your own view?

3. Write an analysis of 'The Story of an Hour' where you pay special attention to theme and message.
   

Below, you will find two paintings that we consider to be suitable to illustrate the short story 'The Story of an Hour' by Kate Chopin. Neither painting was made to illustrate the story; the paintings have been chosen because we believe that they reflect some of the content or mood of the story.

Study the paintings and suggest reasons why these have been chosen as suitable to illustrate the short story. Then decide which painting you would choose and explain why you would choose it. If you think that neither painting is suitable, explain why, and suggest a different illustration that you think would work better.