The Story of an Hour Group

Question:

shaloy
shaloy
Student
College - Freshman

What is the significance of the open window in relation to the main character's epiphany in "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin?

Rate question:

Posted by shaloy on Wednesday October 29, 2008 at 8:16 AM and tagged with characters, epiphany, mrs mallard, open window, plot, symbolism, the story of an hour, themes.

Answers:


  1. cybil Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    For Louise Mallard, the open window represents the freedom she feels when she learns that her husband has died. In her epiphany she realizes she is now "free, body and soul" to live her own life. When she looks out this open window, she sees spring (symbolic of her new beginning), an open square (also represents freedom), and a blue sky (symbolic of hope). 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/story-hour/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/story-hour/summary
    http://www.enotes.com/story-hour/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by cybil on Wednesday October 29, 2008 at 8:51 AM


  2. kwoo1213 Teacher
    College - Junior

    eNotes Editor

    The open window signifies the new life and the fresh start that Mrs. Mallard believes she will have now that her husband is dead.  We often open windows in our home to let in fresh air and let out stale air, correct?  Mrs. Mallard is doing the same thing, symbolically, of course.  She is releasing the old way of life she had and letting in the new life she hopes to have; however, she will never get the chance to do so because she dies upon seeing that her husband is actually not dead.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/story-hour/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/story-hour/summary
    http://www.enotes.com/story-hour/themes

    Rate answer:

    Posted by kwoo1213 on Wednesday October 29, 2008 at 9:49 AM