Activity Overview
Characters drive the action in any story. Have students identify the characters of "The Story of an Hour" and use the description box to explain the character's role in a spider map. Have students choose an appropriate scene and any props that are important to that character. Students create a short bio for characters in the story, paying close attention to the feelings and actions of the characters. Students can also provide detailed information regarding the characters' actions, how they influence other characters, and how the main character changed over time.
Bently Mallard
Bently Mallard, the husband of Mrs. Louise Mallard, is reported to be the victim of a "railroad disaster." After Mrs. Mallard has realized she is happy he is dead, he walks in the door, shocking everyone (especially his wife) with the fact he's alive.
Mrs. Louise Mallard
Louise Mallard is physically ill, but her heart is not the only problem she has. When she thinks her husband is dead, she realizes that it makes her extremely happy to think about living life without him.
Josephine and Richards
Louise's sister, Josephine, and Mr. Bently Mallard's friend, Richards, are trying to gently support Mrs. Mallard while telling her about her husband's purported demise. They think she will be devastated by the news and worry about her heart condition.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a character map for the major characters.
- Identify the major characters in "The Story of an Hour" and type their names into the different title boxes.
- Choose a character from the 1600s to 1800s" tab to represent each of the literary characters.
- Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.
- Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
- Fill in descriptions of each character. Pay close attention to feelings, actions, and influence on other characters.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character Picture & Scene | The characters and scenes are both appropriate for the book's characters. | Many of the characters and scenes match the book's characters. | More than half of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book. |
| Accuracy of Notes | Most of the information of the notes is correct. | Many of the notes have correct information, but some are incorrect or missing. | Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant. |
| Effort | Work is complete, thorough, and neat. | Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable. | Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized. |
How To Analyze Mrs. Louise Mallard’s Character from The Story
Discuss Traits
Begin by asking the students to discuss the basic character traits of Mrs. Louise Mallard. Though it is a short story and there might not be much information available on her personality and other traits, students can analyze her character based on her feelings and reactions.
Analyze Relationships
Compare and contrast characters present in the story to understand their relationship with Louise Mallard and how it is playing a significant role in the narrative. For instance, her relationship with her husband is not great hence the reason for her happiness when she hears the news. Students can use character maps to portray these relationships and present their analysis in an essay format.
Discuss Her Realization
Concentrate on when Mrs. Mallard is alone in her room and feels liberated. What precise feelings and thoughts does she convey? What social conventions are being challenged by this period of liberation? Ask the students why Mrs. Mallard’s character feels this way and helps them connect this part of the story with the setting, her personality, and themes.
Discuss the Common Themes
Examine how the persona of Mrs. Mallard symbolizes the concepts of freedom and oppression. How does her fleeting time of freedom contrast with the demands made of her by society? Discuss the importance of these themes in the story and how they are impacting the main character of the story.
Link to Broader Contexts
Encourage the students to think about the ways in which Mrs. Mallard's experiences speak to bigger societal themes, especially those that pertain to women's responsibilities and autonomy in the late 19th century. Students can perform research on these subjects to understand the historical context and read some more material based on similar settings and themes.
Frequently Asked Questions About "The Story of an Hour" Characters
What is the significance of Mr. Brently Mallard’s character in the story?
According to the short story, Mr. Brently Mallard is a nice and compassionate person. However, his character is a representation of complicated aspects of society, particularly those related to gender expectations and marriage.
Who is Josephine and what part does she play in the narrative?
Mrs. Mallard's sister is Josephine. She plays a supporting role in the story, especially when she informs Mrs. Mallard of Mr. Mallard's passing. She stands for the established support network and norms of society. Josephine remains unaware of her sister’s feelings and becomes worried about her health after delivering her the bad news.
What is the significance of characters like Josephine and Richards in the story?
Josephine and Richards are shown as compassionate characters who are worried about Mrs. Mallards’s health especially after she hears about her husband’s death. They represent the society that expects people to behave a certain way and conform to their gender roles.
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