TEXT EVIDENCE BOOK REPORT
2. Summary of the plot. (One paragraph)
Louise Mallard, a wife with a weak heart of Brently Mallard who had gotten in an accident. A devastating
piece of news for Louise. Richards, her husband's friend, and Josephine, her sister, had to break the
heartbreaking news to her as gently as they could to spare her frail heart. Louise had had an increasing
sensation of liberation after learning of her husband's passing. Although she was still in tears and weeping
over her husband's passing, her yearning for autonomy and her will to live for herself had woken. She
briefly experienced delight as a result of her liberation from their marriage. However, contrary to what
had been reported, Louise had passed away from her heart disease when Brently Mallard, who they
thought had died, entered the home alive and well.
3. Describe the setting of the story. Provide a line from the text that describes the setting.
The setting for the story takes place in Louis and Brently Mallard's house. Louise felt, pondered, and
mourned for her spouse in her room as she slowly became aware of who she was slowly becoming with
the support of the setting where she was staring out in an open window that was a metaphor for being
'free’; "When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone."
As we learn, Louise's house is on a road, and "in the street below, a peddler was crying his wares."
This implies that Louise does not live in a remote or rural area, but rather in a city. Although Louise can
see "tops of trees" and a "delicious breath of rain was in the air," which would be likely not in a large city.
4. What is the major conflict in the story? Provide a line from the text that supports your given theme.
Brently Mallard's death and his wife, Louise, gradually becoming aware that she was now free because
her husband was no longer alive. Even when still mourning over his death and acknowledging that she
did not loved him more often than she did. Based on the text: "She knew that she would weep again when
she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her,
fixed and gray and dead. But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that
would belong to her absolutely."
5. Write a memorable (quote/citation/line) from the story and explain it.
“Someone was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard who entered, a little travel
stained, composedly carrying his gripsack and umbrella. He had been far from the scene of the accident
and did not even know there had been one. He stood amazed at Josephine's piercing cry; at Richards'
quick motion to screen him from the view of his wife. When the doctors came, they said she had died of
heart disease--of the joy that kills.” This context shows the irony of the story. Although the last sentence
may imply that Louise had died due to the joy of her husband being alive, it was quite the opposite. The
fact that Louise had come in terms with herself and her will and finally welcoming the delight of living by
herself, and for herself alone after the passing of her spouse; the liberation that she had been soughing for
so long (and that she was not aware of) gave her a moment of joy and happiness. This, and the sudden
turn of events was what led to Louise’s death. The joy she was feeling was brief as it was taken from her
so soon too. This was what led to her death— “of the joy that kills.”
6. What is the theme or message from the story? Provide a line from the text that supports your given
theme.
The message/theme of the story revolves around the liberation of women. Considering that the Story of an
Hour was published in 19th century where women’s rights were still threatened by the patriarchal ideas of
society. Marriage before was very oppressive for women as it can trap them in a situation with no escape.
Before, women were not even allowed to an education, nor to own a land, nor to any basic human rights
that they deserve just like their male counterparts do. However, according to this line of the 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.” It conveys that it was not only women who
were forced upon such ideas but also their counterparts (Although it is no denying that the oppression
women had face before was very systematic). In this context, it implies that it was not only Louise that
was getting stifled by their marriage, but also her husband.
7. List three difficult words from the reading and define them.
Bosom. The idea of the chest serving as the location of emotions and personal feelings.
Tumultuously. The heavy or chaotic feeling that Louise felt after learning of her husband’s death.
Elixir. Mentioned in the last paragraph of the story where Louise was welcoming and feeling herself
being free. In the text, “drinking in a very elixir of life” implies that she was ready to start anew or in the
word’s actual meaning, a ‘substance believed to cure ills.’