This quotation demonstrates the fact that even if Brent Mallard was on his best behavior, he still had a negative, oppressive effect upon his wife. With little legal recourse, Chopin is alluding to the fact that for many women, death -- of either the husband or the repressed woman -- is the only way out of such a situation.
Unfortunately for Mrs. Mallard, her weak heart was unable to sustain the shock of seeing her husband alive, after she had finally acclimated herself to the notion that she had finally been freed from his oppressive presence and will. She was strong enough to live with her husband's death, yet was not strong enough to live through the surprise of his continued life at the resumption of her former, oppressed state. The irony of her strength that failed her is pointed out in the closing words of "The Story of an Hour," in which Chopin writes "When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease -- of the joy that kills" (Chopin 1896). The irony of this statement and of this situation, of course, is that joy is supposed to be one of the best aspects of life, and is certainly not supposed to kill. However, this quotation actually alludes to the fact that the doctors believe that Mrs. Mallard was so overjoyed at the presence of her husband, alive and whole, that it was too much to take and her heart gave out. The true irony of this sentence, in fact, is that Mrs. Mallard's reaction to the presence of her husband was the exact opposite. She was more than likely so horrified and distraught at the possibility of resuming her previously oppressed life (one that "only yesterday she had thought with a shudder" that it might be long) (Chopin 1896) that, after just being exposed to a few fantastic moments of freedom, her heart and should could not take such a dramatic reversal of fortune and gave out. The fact that she had shuddered at the possibility of a long life with her husband alludes to the fact that Mrs. Mallard very well could have been better off dead than remaining imprisoned to his will, particularly.
In conclusion, when one considers...
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