Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”: A Tale of Confinement and Freedom

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A Critical Review of Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”: A Tale of Confinement and Freedom
A literary piece usually has more depth and meaning if the author uses literary techniques and devices. These techniques and devices assist the author in conveying a more profound message to the text, whereas these techniques will challenge the readers to discover the author’s valid message. A symbol is a literary device that refers to a person, object, or instance with a literal presence but also represents something more significant than oneself or itself (Dobie 358). For example, in the short story "The Story of an Hour," Katie employs three key symbols. The symbols used are a heart ailment, a blue sky, and a window to emphasize the main character’s undisclosed desire for freedom from a marriage that has confined her.
The three key symbols all point to the fact that the main character in the short story wishes to be free. Louise’s heart condition is the first symbol. She is introduced at the story’s beginning as having a heart condition, and she dies due to her illness at the end. On the other hand, Louise is described as “young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength” (Chopin). As a result, it appears ironic that, despite her youthful appearance, she suffers from a heart condition. Hence, Louise’s heart condition may symbolize how affected her marriage is, and she appears in shambles with no hope of recovery.
Furthermore, the blue sky is also a symbol used in the short story. Louise frequently looks at the blue sky and has an intuitive and subconscious realization rather than de...