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Fuatino Gaono
Dr. Deborah Kuhlmann
English 2303 American Literature
16 October 2015
The Struggle to Freedom
By the early 19th century slavery in America was established in various southern states
with few northern Free states including California, and the remaining U.S. territories. Women’s
purpose of life during the early 19th century was that of many obligations and few choices. In the
“Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin and in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by
Frederick Douglass the ideas regarding freedom are similar, as “The Story of an Hour” by Kate
Chopin reflects the notion of maltreatment and bondage in marriage, while Narrative of the Life
of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass suggests that escaping maltreatment from his
masters is possible.
After reading The Story of an Hour, I believe Mrs. Mallard’s death was not due to any
illness or heart condition when she was surprised with her husband’s life, but due to visualizing
and enjoying a future of free life without the governing hands of her husband. The site of Mr.
Mallard stunned her after she was told of his death, and forever killed away the illusions she had
just dreamed up of her new free life.
As the news of her husband’s death initially had her sobbing by the window, slowly she
began to see a different picture coming to mind. “She was beginning to recognize this thing that
was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will– as powerless
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as her two white slender hands would have been” (page 1610 Norton Anthology of American
Literature). Initially she felt a little guilt about her joy of relief of the news, but that quickly
passed as her will fight off the selfish thoughts was powerless. Thoughts of a bitter funeral were
overcome by her selfish new fantasy. “But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession
of years to come that would belong to her absolutely.” (Page 1610 Norton Anthology of
American Literature) She was happy to have the shackles released from her unhappy
commitment and duty of prison likes that was her husband. “And yet she had loved him –
sometimes. Often she had not” (page 1610 Norton Anthology of American Literature), shows her
feelings for her husband had been mostly unfavorable.
The wonderful life she was envisioning was beginning to “riot” inside her head as she
thought of the coming spring and summer days that would “be her own.” She was enjoying it,
