Question

In “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, Mrs. Mallard’s initial reaction to her husband’s death is grief. What is the first indication that Mrs. Mallard has had a change of heart about her husband’s death?


She drops dead from shock.


She whispers, “free, free, free!”


She tells her sister she is feeling better.


She retreats to her room to sing.

Answer 1

The first indication is when she whispers 'free, free, free!"

Answer 2

Mrs. Mallard's immediate reaction is logical. Hearing the sad message from her sister Josephine, she starts crying right away and then retires to her room and asks to be left alone.

However, that's where something totally unexpected happens. After sitting motionless, sobbing for a while, Mrs. Mallard begins to whisper to herself a surprising word: "Free, free, free!"

The answer is: She whispers, “free, free, free!”.