The Story of an Hour

The title is significant because: (Select all that apply)  

• It provides a sense of time for the reader.

• It represents how quickly life can change

• Mrs. Mallard only really “lives” for an hour

Mrs. Mallard closes the door to her room so that her sister, Josephine, cannot get in, yet she leaves the window open.  What does the open window represent? (RL11.3 Symbolism)

• Fresh air

• Freedom, the outside world

• Spring

Which of the following statements best supports how quickly life can change? (RL11.1 Text Based Evidence)

• The sweet smelling air is and life outside the window show her that life goes on.

• Her marriage is over, yet she is being offered the opportunity for a new life.

• The room is stuffy and she is hyperventilating from crying and needs air.

Which of the following quotes best supports Mrs. Mallard's freedom and the outside world? (RL11.1 Textual Evidence)

• “No; she was dinking in a very elixir of life through that open window.”

• “The delicious breath of rain was in the air.”

• “There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair.”

Which of the following events from the story are examples of Rebirth imagery? (Select all that apply)   (RL11.3 Imagery)

• Spring life outside her window

  .

• The moment she abandons herself and moves from grief to joy

• Her head thrown back on the headrest

What have her condition, physical exhaustion, numbness, “dull stare,” and “look of terror” led the reader to believe is the “…something coming to her…” that she waited for fearfully near the middle of the story?  (RL11.1 Textual Evidence, RL11.5 Plot Development)

• The return of Mr. Mallard

• Death

• Freedom

Which pieces of textual evidence best illustrate the first plot twist, her realization of freedom?  (Select all that apply) (RL11.1 Textual Evidence)

• “When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. … ‘free, free, free!’”

• “Now her bosom rose and fell tumultuously.  She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was stiving to beat it back with her will.”

• “The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes.  They stayed keen and bright.”

From what point of view is the story told? (RL11.6 Point of View)

• Third Person Multiple (All Knowing, but switches between the knowledge of multiple characters)

• Third Person Limited Omniscient (All Knowing, but limited to the knowledge of one character)

• Third Person Omniscient (All Knowing)

Which pieces of textual evidence are examples of irony?  (select all that apply) (RL11.6 Irony)

• “She arose at length and opened the door to her sister’s importunities.

• “Spring day, and summer day, and all sorts of days that would be her own.”

• “She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long.”

Which event from the text is an example of dramatic irony? (RL11.6 Irony)

• “She did not stop to ask if it were or were not a monstrous joy that held her.”

• Josephine is worried that Mrs. Mallard has locked herself in her room and is making herself ill. She's actually in there contemplating how wonderful her life's going to be free of her oppressive marriage.

• Mr. Mallard dies.  Rather than be devastated by his death, Loiuse is “overjoyed.”