Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" illuminates how one person can see beyond the lairs of repression that build up during their life. The protagonist of Kate's "The Story of an Hour", Mrs. Mallard, represses the essence of her being until she thinks that her husband is dead. Thinking him gone they, the feelings inside of her, are finally able to come out. Yet, just as in all situations there is a cost that must …showed first 75 words of 380 total…

…showed last 75 words of 380 total…she abandoned her self" and then "Free Free Free! " (p. 1) It was only as a new entity that she gained insight into who she really was, beyond the layers of repression. Ultimately showing that though simple acceptance of ones being, a person can overcome the walls that have been built up around them, Kate lets her protagonist die. Since Louise has become more than Mrs. Mallard how could she go back? How could any one?