When Mrs. Mallard learns of her husband's death, she not only goes straight into a period of grieving, but more importantly, she is not as shocked as most people usually are when they hear about a death of a close relative or friend. "She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance." (p. 536) This is the first time Chopin alludes to Louise Mallard's presumable lack of love for Brently. Had she been truly in love with him, she would never have broken into tears immediately, yet instead she might have smiled a little without truly hearing the words spoken to her seconds earlier. The latter is a reaction of normalcy and commonality. Often times when one reacts in such a way as Louise did, it means that she did not truly have a

Immediately after enclosing herself in her room, she begins to have this epiphany, during which everything outside seems perfect and free. The spring had come, and all that is occurring outside appears to be quite pleasant. "She could see in the open square before her the tops of the trees that were all aquiver with the new spring of life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air... The notes of a distant song which someone was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves." (p. 536) The language that Chopin uses here, like "open square," or "new spring of life," shows the freedom in the outdoors area as well as the new life she is coming into. The connotations of the words, "open," and "new," allude to freedom and a fresh start, which is exactly what Chopin wants the reader to feel that Louise is coming into now. After this foreshadowing of what is coming to Mrs. Mallard, she begins to feel it, this so-called monstrous joy that will hold her. "She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her...she abandoned herself [and] a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips, 'free, free, free!' The vacant stare and look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body." (p. 537) When she utters those words of independence under her breath, it signifies the most obvious turning point in her life, allowing this thing to take over her. At first, Mrs. Mallard is frightened of the possibility of becoming free, for it is neither what she is used to, nor what is accepted in society. Yet as the "joy" continues to take control of her, and gives her a sense of the impending freedom, she beg

Some common words found in the essay are:
Louise Mallard's, Brently Mallard, Louise Mallard, Chopin's Story, louise mallard's, louise mallard, brently mallard, brently mallard dead, own decisions, monstrous joy, mallard dead, free life, death brently, spring life, locks door,
Approximate Word count = 1199
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)