The Story of an Hour

The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin Audiobook is a short story written by Kate Chopin on April 19, 1894. It was originally published in Vogue on December 6, 1894, as "The Dream of an Hour". It was later reprinted in St. Louis Life on January 5, 1895, as "The Story of an Hour".

The title of the short story refers to the time elapsed between the moments at which the protagonist, Louise Mallard, hears that her husband, Brently Mallard, is dead, and then discovers that he is alive after all. Featuring a female protagonist who feels liberation at the news of her husband's death, "The Story of an Hour" was controversial by American standards in the 1890s.

Plot:

"The Story of an Hour" follows Louise Mallard, the protagonist with heart disease, as she deals with the news that her husband, Brently Mallard, has died. Louise's sister, Josephine, informs her of her husband's tragic death in a railroad accident. Louise reacts with immediate grief and heads to her room where she gradually comes to the realization that she is happy that her husband has died. Though she bore no animosity towards her husband, the implications of his death include a new sense of freedom for Louise. This realization of possibility is the source of her joy and "she breathed a quick prayer that life might be long". Later, she heads back downstairs, only to witness Brently coming home. Her joy turns to shock at the sight of her husband and she dies from a heart attack as a result.