Kate Chopin Comparison

Often times, writers tie aspects of their lives into their works. Examples range from where they were born to the number of children they have. Any monumental instance in an author’s life could affect what the author decides to include in the piece of literature. Kate Chopin, a nineteenth century author, included many facets of her life in “The Story of an Hour”.
“Her father was killed two months later when a train on which he was riding crossed a bridge that collapsed” (Wyatt). Chopin’s character Mr. Mallard was said to have died in a train accident, leaving his wife a widow. Both instances include a train causing death to a beloved family member. In the story, Mrs. Mallard’s husband is brought back to her and his alleged death is passed off as a misunderstanding. Although Mrs. Mallard is displeased that her husband is brought back to her, Kate Chopin probably included him coming back to her for a reason. Deep down, she probably wishes her father would have nonchalantly strolled through her door after being accused of being dead; she just wanted her father back.
“By all accounts he loved his wife, admired her independence, and intelligence, and “allowed” her unheard of freedom” (Wyatt). This description of Oscar Chopin’s love for his wife goes hand in hand with the love that Mr. Mallard was said to have for Mrs. Mallard. No matter how much love is present, Chopin and Mrs. Mallard were literally owned by their husbands. Not to say that this means that their husbands loved them any less, but neither woman had a real voice in any decisions that were to be made.
“Her sisters died in infancy and her brothers in their early twenties”, “her father was killed”, “Kate’s grandmother died”, and “Oscar died” (Wyatt). Kate Chopin had been faced with death ever since she was born. This ties into her story because there is a “death” which takes place, that of Mr. Mallard. With her having to deal with so many deaths, it is safe to assume that she wanted at least some, if not all, of the people who were gone to come back. Again, Chopin ties her hidden desires into her work. When she made Mr. Mallard come back from the dead, she wished she could switch places with all who knew him.
Chopin, like many other artists, included instances from her actual life in one of her works. By doing this, she lets the reader get a more personal look at her life.