Change and Mother Nature concept in “The Story of an Hour.”

Change and Mother Nature concept in “The Story of an Hour.”

Change is a basic revolutionary concept in the world. This is because transforming from a familiar force into something entirely foreign or new is a perplexing idea. Kate Chopin vividly illustrates the feeling through her pieces “The Story of an Hour” and “The Storm,” introducing the readers into the concept of change brought about by nature. The two works present female protagonists who are embodied by the transformation in the weather. One of the protagonists feels empowered in a flourishing landscape while the other dominates the thundering storms that approach her. The protagonists face a familiar and supernatural force. The theme of femininity is evident with the rapid changes in nature. Chopin illustrates the character of mother nature as a female figure through personification, as well as the humanization of the weather as versatile and dominance stemming from femininity. The actions of Mrs. Mallard and Calixta, the readers are able to the overall empowerment given to women. Women represent a figure that is greater in power than any human force, possessing the power of growth and empowerment.

Mother nature embodiment is illustrated best in the flourishment that occurs around humans across the world. As flowers bloom petal by petals and the oak grow from tiny saplings, the female figure is empowered by springs that surround them. Mrs. Mallard, in “The Story of an Hour,” is surrounded by the imagery of springtime outside her window.  After hearing news about the death of her husband, she rashes upstairs and stares at the open square before her house.  In a similar way that mother nature is comforted by a sight of a blooming flora, Mrs. Mallard also shows the similarity as she is also comforted by mother nature (Eduzaurus, 2020).

Change can be in various forms. In the story, “The story of an Hour,” there are various instances that depict the theme of change. The change stands to impact the individual involves in one way or another.  Another instance in the story that supports the concept of change is the forbidden joy of independence that is received brings changes to the affected characters. In the story, independence is a forbidden gift that, as the author suggests, can only be thought about privately (Spark notes, 2020).  For instance, When Louise gets the news that Brently is dead, her reaction towards the situation is of obvious grief. Despite showing a violent reaction to the situation, her reaction is considered a rate based on the circumstances she is pushed to. However, changes start to display when she starts to come to the realization that she is an independent woman as well as a widow (Eduzaurus, 2020).  There is a change that enlightens inside her, which creates a certain form of excitement. Although she tries her best to suppress the urge to celebrate the new changes, she is overwhelmed and also considers the way society will react to such a form of life, of which she seems to be more comfortable. It’s quite a different thing as a society, nor the community is unable to understand it.

The aspect of change with respect to mother nature continues to be shown in the story. For instance, the frequent repetition of the word open in theory has a significant implication. Through this repetition, there is indeed a need for connection of mankind with wilderness rather than being restricted from the inside.  There is also the connection of Mrs. Mallard with Mother nature. This is evidenced through her veiled emotions, which, on the other hand, depict restrictions on the confining features of furniture pieces.  There is a change in social movement as Mrs. Mallard feels like she is enclosed within the walls if he owns a home.

Moreover, the changing concept is also evidenced through women empowerment. This is an act in which the main character, Mrs. Mallard, begins to undergo. In the book, it is referred to as the empowerment period. Some of the implications of the process include the showing of mercy and gratitude.  In some instances, there is sympathy for the way she lost her husband.  The death of her husband is described as a period of the storm of grief by the author.   However, the supernatural being, being addressed in this section, is perceived to be merciful, maternal chara term, among other character types.

As said earlier, there is an aspect of femininity that is initiated inside her after her husband died. Her aspect of the female protagonist is immediately influenced by the death of her husband.  As a result, she is enriched with ideas that are totally contrasting and to common for the formalities who support femininity.   When a person dies, the bereaved are left mourning with a sense of grief left behind. But this is not the case for Mr. Mallard (Eduzaurus, 2020).  Besides, Chopin uses mother nature to enhance women’s empowerment.  Mrs. Mallard changes slowly from a woman who is grieving to a woman who has realized her freedom. Calixta, on the other hand, commences her transition from being a submissive woman to a woman who shows deceitful behavior such as fornication and adultery.

Nevertheless, the aspect of mother nature continues to grow even outside.  Through the formation as well as the development of mother nature, Mrs. Mallard is granted freedom from the chains she was entangled in due to legal issues.  Moreover, change and mother nature aspect is continuously developed. For instance, the storm in the story, as described, commences with a sense of submission from the stories’ main character. From the description of the places, it is said that the leaves are still such that Bibi cannot recognize (Eduzaurus, 2020).

In conclusion, change is inevitable in every society. Every person undergoes certain challenging times in life that shaped him or her. The story of an hour is a good example of such a case where change impacts negatively and positively. The aspect of change is clearly explained and brought out well with the assistance of mother nature.

References

Eduzaurus, E. (2020). The Story of an Hour and The Storm: The Concept of Change Through Nature in both Stories by Kate Chopin – Free Essay Example | Eduzaurus. Retrieved 20 March 2020, from https://eduzaurus.com/free-essay-samples/the-story-of-an-hour-and-the-storm-the-concept-of-change-through-nature-in-both-stories-by-kate-chopin/

Spark notes, S. (2020). Spark Notes: The Story of an Hour: Themes. Retrieved 20 March 2020, from https://www.sparknotes.com/short-stories/the-story-of-an-hour/themes/.