STORY OF AN HOUR SUMMARY AND RESPONSE
Lawrence Berkove, author of “Fatal Self Assertion In Kate Chopin’s “The Story Of An Hour”’ introduces his essay by outlining Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of An Hour” (Berkove 152). Berkove notes that the American literature story has had a significant agreement of what the story tells how a brave woman dies, sarcastically and unfortunately after a constricting marriage which acknowledges the self-assertion of her being (Berkove 152). Berkove distinguishes his approach from others by telling the story of Louise Mallard due to the deep level of irony in the story. Berkove portrays Louise as a female protagonist who is young and is an injured party of her “self-assertion”.
Berkove thesis is confidence which Mrs. Mallard lack during her marriage (Berkove 152). In order to support his thesis, Berkove shows Louise as a weak woman who had heart problems that could not handle the assertion of self as she fantasized about freedom. Berkove further supports it through the recognition of the ironic level which is distinguished by the author, the narrator and the undependable protagonist (Berkove 152).
Berkove reference on Per Seyersted biography on Kate Chopin analyzes the story as a neutral extreme example of the self-assertion theme (Berkove 153). The source in his end notes expresses what Berkove feels about what Chopin story indicates. In support of the thesis, Berkove shows how the story was radical in relation to the attack on the marriage and dominance over the other.
Berkove fells Kate Chopin story is about Louise. This is because the narrator takes the reader through Louise mind with no textual justification of attitudes ascribed to the narrator. It was difficult for Louise but unacceptable to Berkove. Berkove has used the examples to support his thesis as he shows the simple truth of about the story as it is not about marriage or society but as Louise story of a weak woman (Berkove 153).
Berkove concludes his essay by showing the significance of Louise wishes to be able to live for herself. She sacrificed for her husband due to her own inability of surviving in her own immature, self desires. The thesis explains about a character and not a marriage which Berkove says it was a fair choice for Louise. Berkove interprets that the meaning of the story aims at making the audience sympathize with Louise though it is her feelings that were subjected to scrutiny for being selfish (Berkove 158).
Work Cited
Berkove, Lawrence I. “Fatal Self-Assertion in Kate Chopin’s ‘The Story of an Hour’.” American Literary Realism, 32.2 (Winter 2000): 152-158. Print.
