The Differences in Josephine and Mrs. Mallard of Kate...

The Differences in Josephine and Mrs. Mallard of Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour Free! Body and soul free!, Mrs. Mallard kept whispering. One persons ultimate freedom may be seen as a tragedy to another. Kate Chopin illustrates this idea in The Story of an Hour. The story is set in the nineteenth century. Chopin uses the death of Mr. Mallard to show the reader Mrs. Mallards deep feelings. In the story, Josephine and Mrs. Mallard are sisters. Although the women come from the same background, live in the same city, and outwardly appear to be satisfied with their lives, their attitudes are very different. Chopin uses these two women as foil characters in the story. The differences in the women are seen in their reactions to†¦show more content†¦Mallard lets the reader know she feels imprisoned by her life as Mrs. Mallard, Mr. Mallards wife. Mrs. Mallard feels stifled and bound by her limited opportunities. Josephine and Mrs. Mallard may be sisters, but they have very different outlooks on a womans role in society. The differences in Josephine and Mrs. Mallard are evident in their reactions to the news of Mr. Mallards death. Josephine cannot find a ray of hope in Mr. Mallards death. She is overwhelmed with sadness. She is very careful how she tells Mrs. Mallard of her husbands death. Josephine uses broken sentences and veiled hints when telling Mrs. Mallard of Mr. Mallards death. Josephine knows that Mrs. Mallard depends on her husband for everything. However, Mrs. Mallards reaction to the news is very different. Mrs. Mallard loves her husband. She is saddened by the news, but she is able to see into the future. She is able to see a future with color and brightness. Mrs. Mallard feels set free from bondage. She no longer sees a world of restrictions but a world of opportunity and adventure. Her husbands death brings revival to her soul. Chopin says, Mrs. Mallard is drinking in a very elixir of life through that open window. The news of Mr. Mallards death is tragic but brings very different reac tions from Josephine and Mrs. Mallard. At the end of the story, when Mr. Mallard enters his house, Josephine and Mrs. Mallard respond very distinctly. JosephineShow MoreRelatedThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin1540 Words   |  7 PagesIn Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour†, the main character, Mrs. Louise Mallard, is a woman with a heart problem that gets horrifying news that her husband has passed away in a train crash. When she starts thinking about her freedom, she gets excited; she is happy to start her new, free life. However, a few hours later her husband walks in the door and she finds out it was all a mistake. When she realizes her freedom is gone her heart stop and she then dies. 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