"Story of an Hour"

Front

Mrs. Mallard’s initial reaction to the news of her husband’s death in 'The Story of an Hour' can best be described as:

Back

A mixture of grief and unexpected relief

Front

Elizabeth Proctor’s relationship with her husband in The Crucible?

Back

Loving but strained by betrayal

Front

Conflict experienced by both Mrs. Mallard and Elizabeth Proctor: Wealth and poverty, Duty and personal emotion, Faith and doubt, Community and isolation.

Back

Duty and personal emotion

Front

How does Mrs. Mallard’s sense of freedom differ from Elizabeth Proctor’s?

Back

Mrs. Mallard envisions independence, while Elizabeth chooses forgiveness and loyalty

Front

What symbolic element represents Mrs. Mallard’s newfound sense of freedom after hearing of her husband’s death?

Back

The open window

Front

How are both Mrs. Mallard and Elizabeth Proctor constrained by society’s expectations?

Back

They are expected to remain loyal, obedient wives regardless of their personal feelings

Front

At the beginning of paragraph 9, Mrs. Mallard senses “something coming to her.” What is it, and what physical effect does it have?

Back

A sense of freedom and control; her pulse beats fast and her body feels warm

Front

How does the description of the natural setting outside Mrs. Mallard’s room reflect her emotional state?

Back

The mix of clouds and “patches of blue sky” mirrors her sadness turning toward hope

Front

At the end of the story, why do the doctors say Mrs. Mallard died of the “joy that kills”?

Back

They believe she was overwhelmed with happiness when she saw her husband alive

Front

In the line “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… A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime… she would belong to herself absolutely,” what does absolutely most nearly mean?

Back

Completely