Chopin's story concisely reveals the underlying nature of a seemingly normal, happy marriage through the characters, symbols, and irony.

Through her work "The Story of an Hour," Kate Chopin is able to portray to her readers the marriage of a couple, the Mallards. In the story, she describes the life of the main character Mrs. Mallard, and the news she receives of her husband's recent death. Although family and friends are concerned that the news will bring harm to Mrs. Mallard's health, Mrs. Mallard spends the long hour coping with the news in her …

…joy, but from losing her possible free life, a life without her husband. Kate Chopin creates a story describing the marriage between two people, and through the characters, symbols, and irony, she reveals a much deeper meaning. Tired of acting in the traditional role that society imposes on her, Mrs. Mallard finally feels the freedom of her new life with the death of her husband. Unfortunately, her own death proves to be her true freedom.