The Story of an Hour

by Kate Chopin

"Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death."

American short-story writer Kate Chopin's tale "The Story of an Hour" was first published in Vogue in 1894 and has endured to become one of her most beloved works. Upon learning of her husband's death, Louise Mallard considers how this fateful event will change her life, meditating on the ideas of loss, freedom, and the bounds of marriage. "The Story of an Hour" was brought to life by Tina Rathbone as a part of the PBS anthology series American Playhouse.

Be it mystery, romance, drama, comedy, politics, or history, great literature stands the test of time. ClassicJoe proudly brings literary classics to today's digital readers, connecting those who love to read with authors whose work continues to get people talking. Look for other fiction and non-fiction classics from ClassicJoe.

Genres: Short Stories, Classics, Fiction, School, Feminism, Read For School, American

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 1894

About the author

Kate Chopin was an American author whose fiction grew out of the complex cultures and contradictions of Louisiana life, and she gradually became one of the most distinctive voices in nineteenth century literature. Raised in a household shaped by strong women of French and Irish heritage, she developed an early love for books and storytelling, and that immersion in language later shaped the quiet precision of her prose. After marrying and moving to New Orleans, then later to the small community of Cloutierville, she absorbed the rhythms, customs, and tensions of Creole and Cajun society, finding in its people the material that would feed both her sympathy and her sharp observational eye. When personal loss left her searching for direction, she began writing with the encouragement of a family friend, discovering not only a therapeutic outlet but a genuine vocation. Within a few years, her stories appeared in major magazines such as The Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, and The Century, where readers encountered her local-color sketches, her portrayals of women navigating desire and constraint, and her nuanced depictions of life in the American South. She published two story collections, Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadie, introducing characters whose emotional lives were depicted with unusual honesty. Her short fiction often explored subjects others avoided, including interracial relationships, female autonomy, and the quiet but powerful inner conflicts of everyday people. That same unflinching quality shaped The Awakening, the novel that would later become her most celebrated work. At the time of its publication, however, its frank treatment of a married woman’s emotional and sensual awakening unsettled many critics, who judged it harshly, yet Chopin continued to write stories that revealed her commitment to portraying women as fully human, with desires and ambitions that stretched beyond the confines of convention. She admired the psychological clarity of Guy de Maupassant, but she pushed beyond his influence to craft a voice that was unmistakably her own, direct yet lyrical, and deeply attuned to the inner lives of her characters. Though some of her contemporaries viewed her themes as daring or even improper, others recognized her narrative skill, and within a decade of her passing she was already being described as a writer of remarkable talent. Her rediscovery in the twentieth century led readers to appreciate how modern her concerns truly were: the struggle for selfhood, the tension between social expectations and private longing, and the resilience of women seeking lives that felt authentically theirs. Today, her stories and novels are widely read, admired for their clarity, emotional intelligence, and the boldness with which they illuminate the complexities of human experience.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise Mallard has just received the dreadful news, that her husband has been killed in a terrible train accident, and the next hour will prove more transformative than anyone could have guessed!
First published in 1894 by Kate Chopin, it’s available to read here....
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Chopin deals with a simple story in this book. I loved her writing style, and it is simply brilliant. Some authors have the ability to convey the dilemmas of life in a poetic way. The book has a few similar examples in it.

“It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thoughts. There was something coming to her, and she was waiting for it fearfully. What was it? She did not know. It was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it.”

The ending of this book felt pretty ordinary to me. But still, the author seems to have brilliant writing skills, and I am eagerly waiting to read more books by her which are considered classics.

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[Adina ( not enough time ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very short and powerful story written by Kate Chopin. it seems I enjoy her short prose more than her novels.

The story shows what happens after one woman with heart problems receives the news of the death of her husband. Her sister finds it difficult to share the news due to the woman's poor health but when she does, the reaction is unexpected. There are quite a few twists in just a few pages. Kate Chopin is a very apt writer of the feminist perspective on marriage.

Read as part of The Short Story Club

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read "The Story of an Hour," written in 1894, with my real-life book club, and we had an interesting discussion about the themes in this story and similar ones in some other stories we read at the same time, like The Yellow Wall-Paper. Kate Chopin, a US author, was one of the earliest feminist authors.

Louise Mallard, a young wife with heart trouble, has just been told by her sister that Louise's husband was killed in a terrible train accident. She weeps wild and abandoned tears, then goes to her room and shuts herself away, to contemplate her life and what lies before her now. And what comes to her, I think, surprises even her.

She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength. But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought.

There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know; it was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air.

Louise begins to realize that now she can live for herself, not bending to someone else who, even if lovingly, was imposing his will on her. It's a freedom that she never thought she would have. Louise runs the gamut of emotions in just a single hour of her life.

It's worth reading, and it's free online here. It's a good lesson about loving others without trying to manipulate and mold them, without regard to what they really might want and might be afraid to say.

[Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that puts the repressive nature of marriage at the centre of the story. However, rather than being overly critical of marriage in the writing, it is a celebration of independence and the joy of having freedom once again even under tragic circumstances.

‘The Story of an Hour’ is about the Louise Mallard who receives news that her husband has died in an accident. However, after her initial grief subsides she embraces her new found freedom with joy, and welcomes the opportunity for freedom to live the life she wants. As she retreats to her bedroom, she says to herself ‘free body and soul free!”, hinting at this oppressive role of women in a Victorian society.

Profound even touching. Dramatic with such irony. Who would have thought that this tiny story would have such a twist at the end.

The writing is sublime. Perfection in a few pages.

[Nika · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment of joy

The events recounted in the story take place over the span of one hour. Hence, the title of the story.
The main character, Mrs. Mallard, receives the tragic news about her husband. The story meticulously examines her feelings. They seem ambivalent. She just lost someone she thought she loved.
She weeps at first. But very soon the woman finds unexpected hope in this new situation which opens up new possibilities to her. For the first time in her life, Mrs. Mallard sees the opportunity to live for herself.
Within one hour she feels upset, confused, independent, and happy. She has re-evaluated her marriage and has significantly changed within this hour. But her joy lasts briefly. Kate Chopin does not allow Mrs. Mallard to revel in joy. The author makes sure that her character reacts not like most women of her time would do. She feels what she is not supposed to feel.

"Free! Body and soul free!" she kept whispering.

We may think of two explanations.
The first version is that Mrs. Mallard got married very young. The man, no matter how kind he may have been to her, simply was not right for her.

The second option, which must be closer to the interpretation of the author, concerns the idea of marriage in general. The main character may be quite happy with her partner. However, she aspires to freedom she has never had in her married life. She has been hiding her true feelings for years.
The story was written in 1894. So, it must relate to the cultural codes of the times. Getting married means the need to conform to certain expectations for both men and women. Of course, the norms were stricter for women who were viewed as dependent on men. However, men were also subject to societal expectations.

Chopin criticizes the almost ubiquitous in her time oppression of women. The author comments on marriage using a specific experience of the main character. The narrative reveals the restrictive nature of marriage regardless of who is being married.

The ending is unexpected. It petrifies the reader with its bitter, almost cruel irony.

You can listen to the story here.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible short story by Kate Chopin, published in 1894. The story is about a woman who learns her husband has been killed, and she is contemplating her future. I'd say this is a must-read for anyone interested in American feminist writings.

I first read "The Story of an Hour" years ago in a literature class, but decided to look it up again after the recent presidential inauguration.

You see, I'm one of the folks who is experiencing great distress over the results of the 2016 election. Since I have significantly different political views than most of my family, it's gotten me thinking about how reading has influenced my perspective since childhood. I can point to specific books that have opened my mind and ended up changing my life, and I was curious if my friends could identify books that similarly impacted them.

One of my friends listed Kate Chopin's The Awakening as an important novel for her, and while I was getting that book from the library and looking up other Chopin works, I remembered this "Story." Reading it after seeing all the amazing pictures from women's marches across the world made me appreciate Chopin's gift all the more. Her prose is perfect -- I wouldn't change a word of this story. Highly recommended.

[Kimber Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Brently Mallard has died in a railway accident. Fearing the news may kill his already ailing wife, her sister, Josephine, approaches the subject delicately.

"She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms. When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her."

The author deftly walks us through those initial stages of shock that follow a sudden loss.

"There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul."

Like a caged bird which has just been set free, Mrs. Mallard's thoughts tentatively turn toward her future and what that may look like. The ending is a doozy!

The Story of an Hour is a nibble of a tale, but it is packed with beauty, irony, and foreshadowing, and can be read in just a few minutes.

It is free to read HERE.

[Cecily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a devastating, and very short, look at literal and metaphorical heart trouble, from a remarkably feminist perspective, though in 1894, Chopin wouldn’t have known the term. This is the original title, but for a while, it was changed to The Dream of an Hour, as that was rather less shocking.

The opening line is:
“Knowing that Mrs Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.”

Chopin was widowed 1882. She was left with six children, debts, and depression. Writing became her escape and income. Perhaps in this story she was imagining a different way that death can end a marriage.


Image: “A young woman setting a bird free from a cage at an open window” by Martin Drölling. He died in 1817, so the painting is a couple of generations older than the story, but it felt apt, despite the presence of a child. (Source)

Read the story (link towards the bottom of this review) before clicking the spoiler.

I pictured an elderly woman. Description of her reaction reinforced that.
“A physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul.”
Alone in her room, in a comfortable armchair, the window is open:
“Trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life.”
And then we’re told she’s young.

There’s tumult of mind and body as she realises with “monstrous joy” that she is now “free, free, free!”. She knows she’ll weep when she sees him dead, because he was kind and loving to her - whereas “she had loved him - sometimes”. That final word - ouch!

Her thoughts quickly evolve:
“She saw… a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely... There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. ”
That’s a brave thing to write. It still has the power to shock, even though I’m sure it’s sadly true for many.

But there was a mistake. Her husband, unaware there had been a train crash, casually comes in the front door.
“When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease - of the joy that kills.”
Those last four words. Wow.


See also

• Evelyn Waugh’s A Handful of Dust.

• I reviewed another Chopin story, The Storm, HERE. I gave that 5* too.

Short story club

I read this as one of the stories in The Art of the Short Story, by Dana Gioia, from which I'm aiming to read one story a week with The Short Story Club, starting 2 May 2022.

You can read this story here.

You can join the group here.

[Kevin Ansbro · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live."
—Norman Cousins

In light of her heart condition, how could Louise Mallard's sister broach the terrible news that Louise's husband has just died in a railroad accident?
Kate Chopin throws an abundance of literary devices at this clever little allegory: namely, irony, foreshadowing, deception, metaphor, allusion and symbolism, whispered from a feminist perspective.
Remember, after you've devoured it, that I did say it was clever. : )

It takes less time to read than it does to toast a slice of bread. And it's free to enjoy online: here it be , shipmates.

My thanks to Tadiana for her intriguing review

[Terrie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise Mallard is told the news of her husband, Bentley's, death by her sister, Josephine. Concerned about her sister's heart ailment, Josephine conveys the news gently and roundabout. Upon hearing, Louise wept wildly in her sister's embrace, then went to her room to be alone with her wandering thoughts...

The Story of an Hour is a short twisty tale that takes the reader to a surprising end. It's brilliant in its simplistic irony—to write anything more would spoil the joy of discovery for future readers. I will add, though, that if I had the choice of people to share a meal and conversation with, the author Kate Chopin would be at my table.

This 4-page short read was an immersive experience; the 7M audiobook was narrated by Walter Covell, who recounted in a halting monotone that didn't engage. I believe a female narrator would be a better fit, and a print or digital copy would be a better choice for overall enjoyment.

Kate Chopin (1850-1904) was an American author of short stories and novels, best known now for her 1899 novel The Awakening, which was quite scandalous for the time. Within ten years of her death, at only 54, she was regarded as a leading author of her time.

4.5⭐

[Olga · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Short Story Club

What a poignant short story written about a woman, by a woman! It subtly but ruthlessly highlights the contrast between what one is supposed to feel in a certain situation and what one really feels. The writer is totally honest about the feelings people are often afraid to admit and the seamy side of a marriage (especially having in mind it is the end of the 19th century).

[Mark Porton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wee story has been doing the rounds and no wonder!

There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know; it was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air........you bet!

...........and what an ending.

[Rosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Chopin is one of the unsung heroes of short fiction. Perhaps if she were born a century later, she might have been more acclaimed. Whatever I have read of her writing has impressed me, albeit in different ways. This story, written in 1894, is my favourite of her works.

Young Mrs. Louise Mallard has just received news of her husband Richard’s death in a train accident. Obviously, her reaction is that of grief. As the story says, “She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms.” Louise retreats to her room and locks the door, leaving her sister worried that Louise might be in the depths of uncontrollable despair. But what’s happening behind the door? (Ha! As if I’m going to tell you!)

People look for various criteria when it comes to short stories. But I think I can safely say that most people will consider an impressive ending as a necessary requirement. This story has one of the best endings. (Note: ‘best’ isn’t always an HEA ending.) Within just about 2800 words, it delivers a fulfilling experience, complete with character detailing and imagery.

Not gonna say more. Read this for yourself and find out the rest – it will hardly take a few minutes.

4.25 stars.

Because of its original publication date, this story is now in the public domain and can be read online on various sites. I read it from the below link.
https://archive.vcu.edu/english/engwe...



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[Dem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short stroy that really packs a punch.

I had never heard of this short story by Kate chopin until a review by a goodreads friend and I knew I had to read it. I love when an author in so few pages can capture a reads imagination and create a story that is interesting, well written and with a good old fashioned twist thrown in for good measure.

Loved it, " Good Goods come in small parcels

[Angela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marriage and social norms are blown away by the desire for a woman’s independence. I’ve wanted to read Chopin for a long time. This very short story was a great introduction.

Thanks , Karen, for the link.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to many in the Goodreads community that have been passing this short story around.

Here’s the link:
http://americanliterature.com/author/...

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Short and brilliant!

https://americanliterature.com/author...

[Imme van Gorp · Rating 3 out of 5]

|| 3.0 stars ||

This story is about a woman who receives the news of her husband’s death in a rather… unexpected manner. Instead of grief, she feels intense joy, gratitude and relief for the freedom his death will now grant her. Not because she hated him or because she didn’t love him, but purely because, without a marriage, she felt she would finally be able to genuinely live life without being held back and without restrictions. She would be able to live life for herself.

This story clearly displayed the very sad reality of the stifling and oppressive nature that marriage used to have not so long ago, and also how very little autonomy and liberty a woman had when she was legally tied to a man.

Oh, but that ending? Such a twist! I definitely didn’t see it coming!


Kate Chopin’s stories:
Desiree’s Baby - 4.0 stars
The Story of an Hour - 3.0 stars

[Laysee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story of An Hour can be read in the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. It is a cleverly woven story of how unimaginably life can change in the space of an hour for unsuspecting individuals.

The death knell has struck for workers of a railroad. Mrs. Mallard has a health condition that makes breaking the news of her husband’s demise a delicate task for her sister and a close family friend. How will she take to the news? And this is where Chopin’s storytelling skills shone. A marvelous mix of foreshadowing and the use of irony led to an ending that was surprising and yet not.

Thank you, Kevin, for convincing me that I can trade time for toasting a slice of bread for a brilliant story.

It can be read here: The Story of An Hour

[Paul Ataua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with two characters expressing the need to break the news of Louise’s husband’s death to her as gently as they can as they believe she will be totally devastated. Louise does in fact appear devastated when she hears the news, but as we read we realize that there is a different story being told. It’s a very short story displaying Chopin’s ability to use descriptive language to capture the ambiguity of the situation. I really enjoyed the story even if I felt it was a little too obvious very early on. The last line, however, is priceless. Well worth the few minutes it takes to read it!!

[Connie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There would be on one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a will upon a fellow creature."

What was marriage like for a woman in the 19th Century? The story features a woman in a repressive marriage, and has a great twist at the end. I reread this story for the Short Story Club.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story with a major twist. Could fit in nicely with Alanis Morisette's song, "Isn't it Ironic."

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the rare stories that everyone had to read for school that was actually good and worth it

part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago, except also this time i couldn't resist a reread

[Greta G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, ironically tragic story.

"There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature."

Available to read online here.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

HA! All I can say about this SUPER short classic story without giving away the shocker of an ending is.......Poor Louise.

Must read more Kate Chopin!

[Andy Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaw. Uh? Oh!
Oh...

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this novel is an exemplary embodiment of intertemporal feminist thought, arguably one of the most exceptional pieces of literature I have had the pleasure of reading

❛❛ there would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. there would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. a kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination.
and yet she had loved him—sometimes. often she had not. what did it matter! What could love, the unsolved mystery, count for in the face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being!
“free! Body and soul free!” she kept whispering. ❜❜

[ij · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story of an Hour

Written by: Kate Chopin

The Story of an Hour

Characters:

Mrs. Louise Mallard
Josephine (Louise’s sister)
Brently Mallard (Louise’s husband)
Richards (Brently’s friend)

A lot can happen in an hour!

Louise Mallard has heart trouble. Her sister Josephine and her husband’s friend Richards use caution when informing her that Brently had been killed in a railroad disaster. Richards had used care to verify the incident. A second telegram had confirmed the sad communications, originally received in the newspaper office with Brently Mallard’s name at the top of the list.

Louise immediately started to weep and flailed in the arms of her sister. After a while she went off to herself, and did not let anyone accompany her.

As she looked out of the window reflecting on the enormity of the situation she observed the environment; a spring day, abundant with life: a peddler hawking his wares, someone singing, birds tweeting, etc.

Louise looked into the sky, at patches of blue sky in the clouds. She sat serenely on a chair with only an occasional sob breaking the quiet. Her thoughts turned to the future. She realized she was not powerless without her husband. These thoughts revived her. She now began to say over and over, under her breath: “Free, free, free!” Her pulse quickened and her body felt alive.

Louise now realized that her future belonged to her and her alone. “Free! Body and soul free,” she kept whispering.

Her sister Josephine was now kneeling at the door of Louise’s room, asking her to come out and not to make herself sick. Louise told her to go away, that she was not making herself sick. Louise was now cognizant of the fact that she once wondered how long she would have to live with her husband. Now she was wondering how much more time she might have and praying for more time.

Soon she came out and wrapped her arms around Josephine’s waist and they walked down the steps to join Richards, again.

Soon, someone was opening the front door with a key. In walked Brently, her husband, casually. He was unaware of the accident. Richards tried to shield him from Louise, but was too late.

Later, when the doctor came he said Louise had died of heart disease.

[Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very short, brilliant, jaw dropping short story! Wow!
Thank you Laysee for bringing this story to my attention and providing the link.

Published: 1894