English 12 Final Exam 2024

How do Mrs. Mallard's feelings evolve throughout the story?

• She is initially elated with joy that her husband survives the crash, then becomes distraught when she realized she misses her opportunity to be on her own, and finally is overcome with shock that Josephine and Mr. Richards are having an affair.

• She first cries when she sees her husband on the news, then screams when she realizes she will have to provide for herself, and finally accepts that she will need to marry Mr. Richards in order to survive.

• At first, she weeps wildly, then calms down and is hopeful of her future independence, and finally is so shocked at her husband's return that she dies.

• All answers can be supported with text evidence.

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How does Mrs. Mallard's thought process demonstrate that she is different from other women?

• Most women would have been unable to accept news of their husband's death, but she comes to terms with it rather quickly and realizes she loves the idea of living independently more than she loves him.

• Most women would have been ecstatic that such an abusive spouse died in an ironic twist of fate, but Mrs. Mallard fails to see the irony.

• The fact that she is unable to process her husband's death shows how she is actually far less emotionally intelligent than other women like her sister, Josephine.

• Mrs. Mallard is actually not different from other women. She is an example of how all women are only good as housewives.

At the end of the story we learn that Brently Mallard

• was cheating on Mrs. Mallard with Josephine.

• jumped off the train before it crashed.

• was never even on the train in the first place.

• made up the entire story to play a joke on his wife.

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How does the author use irony at the end of the story? (2 correct answers)

• Mrs. Mallard was actually the one who was supposed to be on the train, not her husband.

• Josephine and Richards were playing a joke on Mrs. Mallard and the joke causes her to die.

• The doctors believe she dies because she is so happy Brently is alive, but the audience knows she actually was happy that he had died.

• The moment Mrs. Mallard begins looking forward to living her life, she dies of a heart attack.

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Brently Mallard is

• Louise's husband

• 
  Josephine's husband

• Richards

• 
  All of the above

Which of the following is not one of Mrs. Mallard's conflicts?

• She suspects Brently of having an affair with Josephine

• She has a heart condition

• She believes Brently had died

• Brently is actually alive

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In 1894, this story was probably controversial because

• Railroad accidents were common and this story made people lobby for safer railroads.

• Women were not supposed to think independently and Mrs. Mallard's thought process was too extreme.

• Authors did not commonly use irony and Kate Chopin's use of irony was groundbreaking.

• None of the above.

Which of the following details best demonstrates Mrs. Mallard's feelings toward her newfound freedom?

• There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully.

• What could love, the unsolved mystery, count for in the face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being!

• She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms.

• Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death.

What is the nature of Mrs. Mallard's "heart trouble," and why would the author mention it in the first paragraph? Is there any way in which this might be considered symbolic or ironic?

Answer explanation

In Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour,” Mrs. Mallard is said to have heart trouble. This condition is not specified in detail in the text, but it is described as a physical ailment that requires delicate handling when delivering news to her about her husband’s death. The nature of Mrs. Mallard’s heart trouble is left open to interpretation, but it can be inferred that it is a condition that makes her physically fragile and in need of special care.

Significance of Mentioning the “Heart Trouble” in the First Paragraph

The author mentions Mrs. Mallard’s heart trouble in the first paragraph to set the stage for the events that unfold in the story. By establishing her as someone with a weak heart, Chopin creates a sense of vulnerability around Mrs. Mallard and foreshadows the impact that the news of her husband’s death will have on her. This detail also serves to elicit sympathy from the reader towards Mrs. Mallard, as her physical fragility mirrors her emotional state throughout the narrative.

Symbolism and Irony

The mention of Mrs. Mallard’s heart trouble can be considered symbolic and ironic in several ways. Symbolically, her heart condition can represent her constrained and oppressed emotional state within her marriage. The news of her husband’s death initially brings her a sense of liberation and freedom from this emotional confinement, which adds depth to the symbolism of her heart ailment.

Ironically, despite being portrayed as physically weak due to her heart condition, Mrs. Mallard demonstrates emotional strength and resilience throughout the story. Her reaction to the news of her husband’s death challenges societal expectations and norms regarding women’s behavior in times of grief, highlighting the irony between her perceived physical weakness and actual emotional fortitude.

In conclusion, Kate Chopin’s mention of Mrs. Mallard’s heart trouble in “The Story of an Hour” serves as a crucial element in shaping the narrative, symbolizing deeper themes related to confinement, liberation, and societal expectations while also introducing an element of irony through Mrs. Mallard’s unexpected emotional response.

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In what ways is this passage significant? "She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves." What kinds of sensory images does this passage contain, and what senses does it address? What does the vision through the open window mean to her? Where else does she taste, smell, or touch something intangible in the story?

Answer explanation

Sensory Images in the Passage: The passage contains vivid sensory imagery that appeals to multiple senses:

• Visual: The tops of trees, the open square, the peddler in the street, sparrows twittering in the eaves.

• Auditory: The peddler crying his wares, distant song notes reaching faintly, sparrows twittering.

• Olfactory: The delicious breath of rain in the air.

Meaning of the Vision through the Open Window: The vision through the open window symbolizes a connection to nature and life outside her immediate surroundings. It represents a moment of tranquility and awareness of the world beyond her home. The sights and sounds she perceives through the window offer a sense of renewal and vitality associated with springtime. This view serves as a contrast to her enclosed space, providing a glimpse into a larger world full of activity and natural beauty.

Intangible Sensory Experiences in the Story: Throughout the story, there are instances where intangible sensory experiences play a significant role:

• Taste: The mention of rain in the air can evoke a sense of freshness or purity that can be metaphorically tasted.

• Smell: The description of the “delicious breath of rain” not only addresses olfactory senses but also implies an emotional response to the scent.

• Touch: While not explicitly mentioned in this passage, touch can be inferred through descriptions such as feeling the rain on one’s skin or sensing the texture of objects around.

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