"Corpo e alma livres": Uma leitura do conto The Story of an Hour ,de Kate Chopin

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze issues related to female representation in the short story "The Story of an Hour", by the American writer Kate Chopin. As specific objectives we have the analysis of the historical aspects of the feminist waves, previously presented and later analyzed in this tale, as well as the situation of the woman in the 19th century. We will also emphasize the importance of female representation made from the feminine point of view in texts worked in the classroom in elementary and middle schools. This work has as theoretical support the research on feminist theories, pointing out to authors of great relevance such as, Code (2002), which brings important reflections on the three feminist waves; Rooney (2006), with the politics of feminist theory and its inquiries; and Gillespie (2010), who singles out a concern with the representation of the female characters in texts worked in the classroom. Our analysis of the tale calls into question the female representation, notably the one that Kate Chopin denounces, which is Mrs. Mallard's life in "The one-hour story". Our work also comments on the technique of irony which Chopin makes use of in this narrative, remarkably in its conclusion, suggesting, even veiledly, the misrepresented view of men about the real desires of women.