The Story of an Hour

In "The Story of an Hour", a woman receives news that a train wreck has happened and her husband has died (The Story of an Hour). She spends some time grieving, as any person would. But then she realizes that this puts a whole new outlook on life. She realizes that she is free! She no longer has to live a joint life with her husband, she can live freely and selfishly! she rejoices in these thoughts and becomes very excited that she now can live for herself. When she decides to go downstairs, someone walks in the door. It is her husband. He was not in the train wreck. The woman dies of a heart attack at the thought that she now must share life with him (The Story of an Hour). Ralph Waldo Emerson fell in love with a girl who was much younger than him (Wayne). She was ill however, just like the woman in this story is ill with a heart condition. Ralph Waldo Emerson eventually marries this girl and is so happy. But soon after their marriage begins, it ends. His marriage ends because his young wife dies, just like the wife in this story dies (The Story of an Hour) (Wayne). One of Emerson's philosophies that applies in this story is to pursue the things you want to pursue before its too late (Wayne). Emerson never directly says to do that, but it is apparent that it is one of his philosophies or beliefs, because he lives in a way where he is always pursuing what is important to him. He held off many things in life so that he could pursue his studies. He also did not do much to pursue being a minister. He started to, because of encouragement from his aunt, but soon realized that it wasn't a job for him, so he quickly moved on and pursued other things like speaking and writing. In "The Story of an Hour", the wife, Louise, does not pursue the things she wants to pursue (The Story of an Hour). Had she pursued the things she wanted to pursue, she would not have rejoiced at her husband's death. "The Story of an Hour" encourages the reader to pursue their desires, as does Emerson's biography. (The Story of an Hour) (Wayne).

""The Story of an Hour"" Virginia Commonwealth University. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. .

"Kate Chopin "The Story of an Hour"" The Story of an Hour, Kate Chopin, Characters, Setting. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. .

Wayne, Tiffany K., ed. "Emerson, Ralph Waldo." Critical Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2010.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= CCRWE0001&SingleRecord=True (accessed March 9, 2012).