ENGL 1102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Kate Chopin
In this story, it seems like the author, Kate Chopin, criticizes marriage during this time period
through showing the reader how oppressed Louise felt and how Louise had no freedom in her
marriage. It is assumed that in the marriage of Louise and her husband, Louise had no control or
say in the relationship. Once Louise realizes that she had been living with limitations and
restrictions, she feels overwhelmed with joy that she no longer has to live under a man.
After the realization, Louise whispers to herself excitedly, “Free! Body and soul free!” Through
this quote, Chopin shows the contrast of how dependent and chained Louise was before and how
she is both physically and emotionally freed now.
Louise expresses her joy as she opens the door with confidence and embraces her sister.
Her behavior symbolizes power and courage despite her sister’s expectation of Louise being
emotional and in despair. However, with the newfound freedom came the irony and twist of this
story. As the two sisters return to the living room, it is revealed that Louise’s husband is alive
and well. Once Louise sees her husband alive, she suddenly realizes that her envisioned future of
independence and confidence is no longer there. To Louise, his presence destroyed her dreams
and she realizes that her dreams will not come true. Louise screams in shock and falls to her
death. When the doctors examine Louise, they pronounce her dead from a heart disease of joy
that kills. It is blatant to the reader that her shock was not caused by the joy of her husband being
alive, but was instead the pain and agony over losing the independence and freedom she had
found. Looking at it in another angle, Louise’s death could be the only way to freedom and
independence after finding out her husband was alive.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
In this story, it seems like the author, kate chopin, criticizes marriage during this time period through showing the reader how oppressed louise felt and how louise had no freedom in her marriage. It is assumed that in the marriage of louise and her husband, louise had no control or say in the relationship. Once louise realizes that she had been living with limitations and restrictions, she feels overwhelmed with joy that she no longer has to live under a man. After the realization, louise whispers to herself excitedly, free! Body and soul free! through this quote, chopin shows the contrast of how dependent and chained louise was before and how she is both physically and emotionally freed now. Louise expresses her joy as she opens the door with confidence and embraces her sister. Her behavior symbolizes power and courage despite her sister"s expectation of louise being emotional and in despair.
