Question

Why does the author Kate Chopin choose to withhold telling the reader Mrs. Mallard's first name?

a) To create mystery
b) To maintain anonymity
c) To avoid confusion
d) To dehumanize the character

Answer 1

Kate Chopin withholds telling the reader Mrs. Mallard's first name in order to emphasize the theme of female identity and the restrictions placed on women in society during the late 19th century.

Step-by-step explanation:

Kate Chopin chooses to withhold telling the reader Mrs. Mallard's first name in the short story "The Story of an Hour" to emphasize the theme of female identity and the restrictions placed on women in society during the late 19th century.

The absence of Mrs. Mallard's first name symbolizes the loss of her individuality and independence that occurs in marriage. By not giving her a first name, Chopin dehumanizes the character and shows how women were often defined solely by their marital status instead of their own individuality.

This choice also adds to the overall impact of the story, as the revelation of Mrs. Mallard's first name at the end, Louise, represents her rediscovered sense of self and freedom after learning of her husband's death.