For women, the 19th century was a time of inequality, oppression, and inferiority to their male counterparts. A woman's social position depended solely on her marital status. For these reasons, many women have been forced to lead a life of loneliness and emotional inadequacy, often causing depression. In Kate Chopin's short story "The Story of an Hour," the setting plays a significant role in illustrating the bittersweet triumph of Mrs. Mallard's escape from oppression at the ironic cost of her life. Chopin sets the story in spring to represent a time of new life and rebirth, mirroring Louise's discovery of her freedom. Louise immediately goes to a room where, "in front of the window [sat] a comfortable and spacious armchair" (Chopin 470). The news of her husband's death leaves her lost and confused, searching for answers about her future. During her husband's lifetime, she was "burdened by a physical exhaustion that tormented her body and seemed to reach into her soul", but once left alone to look out the open window and observe the "patches of blue sky that can be seen here and there through the clouds,” recognizes freedom for the first time (Chopin 470). Initially, he cannot fully understand the mysterious yet promising beginning of his new life, but he soon embraces it as he was "drinking a true elixir of life through that open window" (Chopin 471). Having a look at her life with absolute and fresh freedom gives her the strength to abandon a life of solitude and to "spread out her arms [...] in welcome" (Chopin 471). Just as spring is a new beginning to a new year, Louise's discovery of sovereignty is a promise of hope for a new life. Aside from spring, Chopin creates a parallel atmosphere to... middle of paper... .she could explore her intuitions and be herself and, like most women, it was a dream she wanted since birth. Unfortunately, his hope for long years and many beautiful spring days was abruptly ended by an ironic twist. Unbeknownst to her and her company, Mr. Mallard had survived, and within an hour the promises of a bright future for Mrs. Mallard had begun and ended. Her painful death was misinterpreted as joy by others: “they said she died of heart disease, of joy that kills” (Chopin 471). This statement embodies the distorted misconception that a woman lives only for her man. In fact, the public sees exactly the opposite. For Louise, life was extended by the news of her husband's death, not interrupted. Throughout the story, Louise will hopefully gain freedom. Ironically, she is granted freedom, but only after death.