To analyze how Kate Chopin's choice of an ending in "The Story of an Hour" contributes to the story's aesthetic impact, we can use the ACES format:
A (Assertion): The ending of "The Story of an Hour" serves as a powerful commentary on the constraints of marriage and the pursuit of self-identity, ultimately leaving a profound impact on the reader.
C (Citation): In the final moments of the story, after Louise Mallard has experienced a fleeting sense of freedom upon hearing of her husband's death, her life is tragically cut short when he unexpectedly returns home, alive. The story concludes with the stark statement: "When the doctors came, they said she had died of heart disease—of joy that kills."
E (Explanation): This unexpected twist not only underscores the irony of her situation but also highlights the social constraints faced by women in the 19th century. Louise's brief taste of freedom, which evokes feelings of joy, is abruptly snatched away, illustrating the oppressive nature of her marriage. The doctors' interpretation of her death as "joy that kills" is deeply ironic, suggesting that her husband's return, which should have been a source of happiness, is instead a return to oppression.
S (Summary): Thus, Chopin's choice of an ending not only emphasizes the tragic irony of Louise's situation but also critiques the institution of marriage during her time. The stark and ironic ending leaves readers with a haunting sense of loss and a deeper understanding of the complexity of female identity and independence, contributing to the overall aesthetic impact of the story.