How an omniscient character would alter the plot of the story
The Story of An Hour by Kate Chopin could use an omniscient character to adjust its plot and maybe make it more hopeful as opposed to its tragic plot and ending. An omniscient character would not come bearing the sad news that Blently Mallard was dead without verifying the report. The news that Louise Mallard received made her reflect her life in her union with Blently, which seems unhappy. Louise had lived her life for her high-handed husband as she claims that “men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature” (Chopin, 1894). One can see that the death of her husband would have allowed her to have so much freedom a ting that was not a part of her marriage. Louise seems like a domesticated woman who does not get a chance to leave the house as often as she could. An omniscient character would have tried to find out if Louise was happy in her marriage and if not find a way of helping her. This woman had so much to live for if only her situation would have improved. It does not serve any purpose for such a vibrant woman to die of disappointment, having realized that her hopes had been dashed again.
Analysis of character who begins as a minor character but evolves into a major character with an important role as the story progresses
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Brently Mallard starts as a minor character who is mentioned in death after a railroad disaster. At this point, the reader cannot associate with this character, as he seems insignificant to the story at first. When Richards breaks the news to Louise his wife, the reader sees just how this character is essential in shaping the present and past events of the story. Mr. Mallard is the source of Louise’s sadness in her marriage and his death does not cause the reaction that is associated with such news. According to Chopin (1894), “She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same... She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister’s arms”. When she went into her room, she felt quite relieved to be rid of this man and knew that she could now be free at last. From the look of things, Louise's life revolved around her husband and she had no time to live for herself. Brently Mallard comes out as a significant character who is capable of defining one's path without eliciting resistance. His absence in Louise’s life brings out a very different woman who has clear personal future goals and she hoped for a longer life (Paudel, 2019). Before receiving the news, Louise had shuddered at the thought that life might be long and she would have to spend it besides this man. The sudden appearance of Brently shatters Louise, and death becomes her only escape from this formidable force.
Using The Story of An Hour to examine how one character influences other characters to change
Richard influences Louise to change and view life from another perspective, having brought the news of her husband’s death. The news transforms Louise from a sad and domesticated woman to one who is full of life, hope, and energy. Richards was afraid to break the news to Louise since he knew her to be ‘afflicted with heart trouble’ possibly due to her marital experience. Instead of the news shattering her, they help her to heal as she sees it as her ticket to her happiness (Rajakumar and Rajeswar, 2015). Her exuberance is evident as Louise walked with victory and triumph in her eyes. She clasped her sister’s waist, who was surprised as she thought that Louise was going to make herself ill. Richard may have been surprised to see a new Louise who moments ago had received the news of her husband’s demise.
Examining a character who embodies a dark mood and goes through a complete mental breakdown as the story progresses
Louise represents a somber mood as she is depicted as having a troubled heart and Richard takes caution when breaking the news of her husband’s death. Her mood does not emanate from the news of her husband’s death but rather from her marriage life, which is not appealing. She seems to be hoping for a day that she will be rid of her husband who is high handed and impulsive (Paudel, 2019). She hopes that life will be shorter so that her grief could end. When she gets into her room, she sits on an armchair sinking and “pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul” (Chopin, 1894). She found herself sobbing like a small child having reflected t her marriage life and the thought of freedom made her fear. Looking at her, one can see a woman who is rising from a tormenting marriage with a hope for better days ahead.
Attributes of a determined character
Louise is a determined character who, in spite of being in an unhappy marriage, rises above her challenges. Her marriage to Brently is not ideal as she has her fair share of troubles in the hands of a harsh man. In spite of the knowledge that she would live her entire life for him, she loved him at times and did as he wished. The news of her husband’s death increases her determination to have a better life with no one making her bend to his desires. She is determined to enjoy her remaining days and be free to explore the world on her own.
References
Chopin, K. (1894). The Story of an Hour . New York: Vogue.
Paudel, K. (2019). Existential Angst in Kate Chopin’s ‘The Story of an Hour.’ NCC Journal, 4(1), 97-99.
Rajakumar M., Rajeswar G. (2015) What Did She Die of? “The Story of an Hour” in the Middle East Classroom. In: Ostman H., O’Donoghue K. (Eds.), Kate Chopin in Context. American Literature Readings in the Twenty-First Century (pp. 173-85). Palgrave Macmillan, New York
