The Story of Kate Chopin “The Story of an Hour” focuses on a married woman who does not find happiness in her marriage. When she learns of her husband's death, the woman does not grieve for long before savoring the idea of ​​freedom. Chopin's story is an example of realism because it describes a life that is not controlled by extreme forces. Her story is about a nineteenth-century married woman without "startling achievements or immense abilities" (1271). Chopin stays true to reality and describes a life that seems like it could happen to anyone. Frank Norris comments that realism is "the smallest details of everyday life, things which probably happen between dinner and supper, little passions, limited emotions..." (1741). “A Story of an Hour” tells the story of an unhappy married woman that is not an unrealistic or extreme event. Chopin conveys in his story the feeling of marriage as unwanted slavery for some married women in the nineteenth century. Mallard is a sick woman who is "afflicted with heart trouble" and her husband's sister and friend had to tell her very carefully that her husband was dead (1609). It can be concluded that his illness was caused by his marriage. She was very stressed due to her reluctance to be part of the relationship. Before marriage, he had a youthful appearance, but now "there was a dull look in his eyes" (1610). Being married to Mr. Mallard has stifled the joy of life she once had. When she realizes the implications of her husband's death, she exclaims “Free! Free body and soul!” (1610). She feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders and instead of crying for him, she rejoices for herself. Her death is seen as the beginning... in the middle of a paper... where she has no desire to be. This woman suffers so much because of the commitment of her marriage, that the death of her husband does not affect her for long. A wedding like this seems so incredible, yet the reader could see the realistic elements incorporated into the story. This raises the question of how undesirable marriage was during Chopin's lifetime. The unhappiness felt by Mrs. Mallard appears to be very extreme, but Chopin creates a beautiful story that reflects on the idea of ​​marriage as an unwanted relationship and bond with some women in the nineteenth century. Works Cited “American Literature 1865-1914.” Baym 1271.Baym, Nina et al. Ed. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter 8th ed. New York: Norton, 2013. Print. Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour." Baym 1609-1611.Norris, Frank. “Zola as a romantic writer”. Baym 1741.