Mrs. Mallard

“herself is symbolic of the role women often found themselves trapped in during the latter part of the 1800s. Bound to husbands via laws and societal expectations which forbade them to own property, govern their own finances, or obtain meaningful employment outside their homes, women often longed for more. Thus, Mrs. Mallard's reaction to the news of her husband's death reflects what women of this era sought for: freedom.”

Patches of Blue Sky

appear just after Mrs. Mallard receives the news of her husband's death, symbolizing the hope in her new situation. Just as the sky was previously draped in a gray gloom, Mrs. Mallard has existed for years under the same gloom of monotony, hopeless that life will improve. The clouds begin to break just as Mrs. Mallard's situation changes, symbolizing the hope she feels for brighter days ahead.

An Hour

referenced in the title, symbolizes how quickly a person's circumstances can change. Mrs. Mallard begins the story thinking "with a shudder that life might be long" and briefly experiences (false) thoughts of freedom before she realizes that her husband is alive after all—which kills her. This is the nature of life; in such a short duration of time, so much can change

Heart

Open Window or doors

Rairoad Disaster

Rairoads symbolizes forces harmful to the traditional style of life.

Citation

"What symbolism is used in Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour"?" eNotes Editorial , 24 Nov. 2014, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-symbolism-used-kate-chopins-story-an-hour-472742. Accessed 6 May 2022.

Robinson, Ashley. “The Story of an Hour: Summary and Analysis.” Blog Prepscholar, 9 Dec. 2019, https://blog.prepscholar.com/kate-chopin-the-story-of-an-hour-summary#:~:text=Analyzing Chopin's “The Story of,marriage roles during the period.

S. Selina Jamil (2009) Emotions in the Story of an Hour, The Explicator, 67:3, 215-220, DOI: 10.3200/EXPL.67.3.215-220