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The Story of an Hour Summary
Due to Mrs Mallard's heart condition, Josephine her sister, is cautious in informing her of husband's death in a train crash, as confirmed by his friend Richards. Mrs. Mallard reacts by immediately crying, after which she withdraws to a room, and contemplates what his death now means for her. There she sits before an open window, observing the happenings outside, and is soon overcome with an unidentifiable emotion, which she later reluctantly realizes is happiness. Mrs. Mallard reasons that though Mr. Mallard had been a loving husband, one which she would surely mourn, she is also eager for a new life marked by freedom and independence from marriage. Josephine assumes that Mrs. Mallard, distraught over the news, intends to harm herself. Mrs. Mallard assures her that she is fine, and walks with her sister to meet Richards, still downstairs. It is then Mr. Mallard, who is very much alive and had no knowledge the accident took place, opens the door. Mrs. Mallard dies of shock which the doctors mistakenly blames on her being overjoyed at his return.
