The author's choice of an ironic ending, where Louise Mallard dies from "the joy that kills" upon the unexpected return of her husband, underscores the story's themes of freedom and repression in marriage. This poignant twist reveals the tragic consequences of unfulfilled desires and societal constraints, leaving readers with a powerful sense of sorrow and reflection on the nature of liberation.
The Story of an Hour
by Kate Chopin
Her fancy was running riot along those days ahead of her. Spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that
would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a
shudder that life might be long.
She arose at length and opened the door to her sister’s importunities. There was a feverish triumph in her eyes, and
she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory. She clasped her sister’s waist, and together they descended
the stairs. Richards stood waiting for them at the bottom.
Some one was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard who entered, a little travel-stained,
composedly carrying his grip-sack and umbrella. He had been far from the scene of accident, and did not even know
there had been one. He stood amazed at Josephine’s piercing cry; at Richards’ quick motion to screen him from the
view of his wife.
But Richards was too late.
When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease—of joy that kills.
In 1–2 sentences, analyze how the author’s choice of an ending contributes to the story’s aesthetic
impact Short answers
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