Kate Chopin's choice of an ending, in which Louise Mallard unexpectedly dies from the shock of her husband's return, underscores the bittersweet irony of her fleeting taste of freedom and the oppressive nature of her marriage. This tragic conclusion amplifies the emotional intensity of the story, leaving readers to reflect on the constraints placed on women in society and the profound impact of societal expectations on personal happiness.
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.
Use the passage to answer the question.
In 1-2 sentences, analyze how the author's choice of an ending contributes to the story's aesthetic impact.
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