The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

At a Glance

“The Story of an Hour” key characters:

• In “The Story of an Hour,” Louise Mallard, a wife who has suppressed her desire for independence, begins to understand her need for self-discovery when she learns of her husband’s death.

• Josephine, sister of Louise Mallard, models ideal female behavior and cares for her sister, carefully breaking the news of Mr. Mallard’s demise and offering comfort.

• Brently Mallard, by all accounts a loving husband, is presumed dead in a train accident; the report, however, is mistaken, and he reappears at the story’s end, causing his wife’s fatal heart attack.

• Mr. Richards is the family friend who brings the news of Mr. Mallard’s death and attempts to screen Louise from the shock of his reappearance.