The Story of an Hour: A Brief Moment of Joy and Freedom

Alternative transcript:

the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her. "free/untamed indication she is different of She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver-Senses are with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a hegtened. Symbol peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing of new life eached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves. 20 There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds that had met Symbol of and piled one above the other in the west facing her window -new beggining/fresh starts поре She sat with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair, quite motionless, except when a sob came up into her throat and shook her, as a child who has cried itself to sleep continues to sob in its dreams. Personification - not in control of emotions Restrictive nature of marrige Surpris She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a effects of certain strength. But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away language-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. -repetition-considering open appitunity of conditioned to mourae rather then rejoice There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it?-Sense of elusive name. out and toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air.come to her 32 pathetis pharlercy- herrous excitment Simile- velnerable image Personil Now her bosom rose and fell tumultuously. She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will-- as powerless as her two white slender hands would have been, metaphor-conditionned to mourne moment of empathy-Repatition - emphasis represive nature of When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. She marrige said it over and over under her breath: "free, free, free!" The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright. Her blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body. pulses beat fast, and the of its image contract to She did not stop to ask if it were or were not a monstrous joy that held her. A clear and 40 exalted perception enabled her to dismiss the suggestion as trivial. happines/She knew that she would keep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded presive nature Positive description more important than in marrige death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her, fixed and gray and dead.bunt But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome. focus on moving forward Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology Issue 4 April 2020 Pearson Education Limited 2020 Focus 35 on future commentury on marrige 50 55 60 65 70 International GCSE English Language (Specification A) - Paper 2 Section A Poetry and Prose texts it in that brief moment of illumination. Reflection Personification-overpowering nature of marrige 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 -blunt truth Short sentance 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! -rejoice she kept whispering. '!'-excitment in realising her indicates marrage has Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhold, imploring for admission. "Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door--you will make yourself ill. What are you doing Louise? For heaven's sake open the door." Dramatic irony metaph- I gaining identity-no longer married "Go away. I am not making myself ill. No; she was drinking in a very elixir of life through that open window. contrast to societal expectations now ouffook "Free! Body and soul frysical/emotional/mental impact independance Symbolism tramation Her fancy was running riot along those days ahead of her. Spring days, and summer! days, and all sorts of days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long, Antithesis-completely new outlook. Trony on life women poner She arose at length and opened the door to her sister's importunities. There was a widdowhood gives feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory. She clasped her sister's waist, and together they descended the stairs, Richards (smile) stood waiting for them at the bottom. Symbolic Powerful female image Some one was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard who Ptot twist! entered, a little travel-stained, composedly carrying his grip-sack 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. Ambiguous ordinary image contrasts with melodramatic ""goddess"- brought back to real ality. But Richard was too late. When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease--of the joy that kills. Dramatic irony- of Kate Chopin the dissapointment that kills Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology Issue 4 April 2020 Pearson Education Limited 2020 33