In Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" the author uses both direct and indirect characterization. Direct characterization is when a writer simply states a character's specific traits. Indirect characterization is when a character's traits are revealed through the words, thoughts, or actions of the character, descriptions of the character's appearance and background, and what other characters say about and how they react to the character.
Chopin uses direct characterization in the very first paragraph...
In Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" the author uses both direct and indirect characterization. Direct characterization is when a writer simply states a character's specific traits. Indirect characterization is when a character's traits are revealed through the words, thoughts, or actions of the character, descriptions of the character's appearance and background, and what other characters say about and how they react to the character.
Chopin uses direct characterization in the very first paragraph by telling the reader that the main character, Louise Mallard, has a heart condition. Louise is also directly characterized when she is described as suffering from "physical exhaustion" after hearing the news that her husband had been accidentally killed in a "railroad disaster."
Chopin uses indirect characterization when she describes Louise as "young with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength." The term "repression" could also be considered an indirect characterization of Louise's husband who, though kindly, was a typical male in Victorian society who invariably made all the important decisions for his wife. Chopin also indirectly characterizes Louise through the character's words and thoughts. Twice in the story she says that she is free as she comes to realize that without her husband she will be much happier. She says, "Free! Body and soul, free!" She thinks that she now wants her life to last a long time as opposed to her feeling that "life might be long" before the news of her husband's demise.
Because of these thoughts and words, the reader knows that Louise does not die of "joy" at the news her husband was still alive, as the doctors believed. Her heart stopped at the thought of going back to the repressive life in a male dominated society.
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