Question

Read the following excerpt from Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," in which the protagonist, Louise Mallard, is contemplating her life after learning of the death of her husband.
No; she was drinking the very elixir of life through that open window. Her fancy was running riot along those days ahead of her. Spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long.

Based on the excerpt, what does the open window come to symbolize for Louise?

a.)Nature; staring out the window helps Louise reconnect with nature and, in the process, rediscover her family’s identity now that she’s without a husband.

b.)Escape; staring out the window is a means of escaping from the monotony and tediousness of life that Louise experiences on a regular basis.

c.)Independence; staring out the window makes her aware of the life that lies before her, as well as the personal liberty she has within her reach.

d.)Sadness; staring out the window evokes a feeling of sadness within her as she views the world moving on, while she is stuck in her house without the comfort of her husband.

e.)Opportunity; staring out the window opens her eyes to the economic possibilities life presents, even when confronted with hardships and tragedies.

Answer 1

The best and the most correct answer among the choices provided by the question is the first choice. The open window symbolizes as Nature; staring out the window helps Louise reconnect with nature and, in the process, rediscover her family’s identity now that she’s without a husband.  I hope my answer has come to your help. God bless and have a nice day ahead!

Answer 2

Independence; staring out the window makes her aware of the life that lies before her, as well as the personal liberty she has within her reach.