Use the passage from "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin to answer the question. Using the ACES format, analyze how the author's choice of an ending contributes to the story's aesthetic impact.

Question

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.

First, note that your response should be 1 to 2 sentences long. The question is asking you to analyze (look at closely) how the author’s choice of an ending contributes to the story’s aesthetic impact. The word “aesthetic impact” refers to the feelings related to the senses that are evoked by an artistic work. In other words, as a reader, how does the ending make the reader feel? Include text evidence from the passage to support your response. Use the template below to help answer the question.

A- The author’s choice of an ending contributes to the story’s aesthetic impact by _______________.

C- For example, in the story it says that “_______________”.

E- This shows that, ___________________.

S- In conclusion, ____________________.

Answer 1

A- The author’s choice of an ending contributes to the story’s aesthetic impact by juxtaposing the protagonist's fleeting hope for freedom with the shocking return of her husband, which ultimately leads to her demise.

C- For example, in the story it says that “When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease—of joy that kills.”

E- This shows that the irony of her joy turning into despair not only highlights the oppressive nature of her marriage but also reinforces the theme of the repression of women’s desires in a patriarchal society, evoking a complex mix of sadness and frustration in the reader.

S- In conclusion, Chopin’s impactful ending leaves the reader with a poignant sense of loss and the tragic consequences of unfulfilled longing.