1、黑龙江外国语学院 2012-2013 学年 第 1 学期 Term 1 2012-20123Academic Year Heilongjiang International University 第 1 页 共 8 页 A Study into Feminist Consciousness of The Story of an Hour Abstract：According to interpretation of the social background of the American South at the end of the 19th century and the Kate Ch
2、opins life experience in the illustration of the text and analyze the historical background of the leading roles self consciousness, uncovering American society ignored the value of women and the shackles of a free spirit. With the help of the analysis of the writing technique, we can better underst
3、and the theme of freedom and death in the story. Key words: Womens consciousness; Kate Chopin; The Story of an Hour I. Introduction Kate Chopin is one of Americans most important women writers of the 19th century. His representative work “Awakening” is recognized for performance pioneer of feminist
4、thought. “The Story of an Hour,” published in 1894, is a boutique in Chopins short story. In this novel, a young woman learned that her husband died in a railway accident. She wept returned to the room. Slowly, she began to realize their soul changes: “she whispered, free, free, free! . she know in
5、spent a long time after the pain, she will complete her own.” Then, without warning, she did not take the trains husband, open the door came in. When she saw him, her heart stops beating. Around her everyone thinks she was happy will like this. Is she really happy to hear the news that her husband i
6、s dead? This article is a feminist novel. Male chauvinist led to sexual inequality, feminism advocates also should avoid too extreme tendency (such as novel transcendence of male fantasy). We even western social feminism and the ultimate goal of equality for all (real sense of equality). Not any par
7、ty surpassed and superior. II. The social background of Feminist Consciousness 黑龙江外国语学院 2012-2013 学年 第 1 学期 Term 1 2012-20123Academic Year Heilongjiang International University 第 2 页 共 8 页 Overall, the United States in the 19th century, legal, religious and traditional practices strict restrictions
8、on women, especially Southern womens rights.总的来说，在十九世纪的美 国，法律、宗教、传统实践严格束缚着女人，尤其是南部女人的权利。 They could not vote, cannot make their voices heard in the political sphere; most of the work refused to hire female staff, the majority of women can only perform household chores; proportion of educated women i
9、s far lower than that of men. 她们不能投票，不能在政治上 发声，大多数公司拒绝雇佣女性员工，以致大多数女人只能做一些家务琐事，而接受过 教育的女性所占比例远低于那些女人。 Ethical, Southern women are more bound and repressed. According to Southern tradition, women are the incarnation of virtue. 道德上讲，南美女人要受到更多的约束和压抑，根据 南美的传统，女人是贞操的化身 They are full of compassion, toleran
10、ce, patience, loyalty obedience. They are bound in the moral paradigm throne, worshiped by others. 她们充满着同情、宽容、耐心、忠诚顺从， 她们束缚在榜样的王座上，被他人敬仰 For married women, the society has given them more bondage. For example: many states expressly provide that married women have no right to sign contracts, and cann
11、ot own property, cannot even dispose of their own income. 对于结婚的女性，社会给了她们更多限制，比如 说，很多国家明确规定结婚的女人没有权利签订合同，不能有她们自己的财产，甚至不 能处理她们的收入 Whatever the reason, if the couple divorce, the wife cannot get custody of the children. The perfect wife should be submissive, gentle, pious, and therefore not suitable fo
12、r the complex and volatile political and business, the best choice is a wife, mother.无论什么原因，如果一对 夫妇离婚，妻子无法拥有对孩子的抚养权。完美的妻子应该是顺从的、温柔的和尽责的， 因此她们对于复杂和不稳定的政治和公司来说是不合适的，最好的选择是一个妻子、母 亲 From the mid-19th century, American society has experienced ethnic conflicts, the Civil War, the abolition of slavery and
13、the highly developed capitalist economy, peoples thinking has also happened unprecedented transformation. 十九世纪中期，美国社会经历了民族斗争、 黑龙江外国语学院 2012-2013 学年 第 1 学期 Term 1 2012-20123Academic Year Heilongjiang International University 第 3 页 共 8 页 市民战争、奴隶制的废除还有资本主义经济的高度发展，人民的思想也得到了空前的转 变 The women began questio
14、ning traditional practices imposed on the role of a woman, issued a challenge to the values of the patriarchal society. 女性开始质问传统社会对女性的 定义，发起了一个对男权社会价值观的挑战 Northern women first began to fight for equal rights to work, education. They believe that women and men should be equal access to political, eco
15、nomic, religious status, which completely changed the ideological built in the male dominated society.南美女性第一次发起 了对要求工作、受教育权利平等的斗争，她们认为女人和男人应该在政治、经济、宗教 地位上平等，这些完全的改变了男权社会的思想意识形态 The Civil War and the abolition of slavery greatly changed peoples ideology, the northern growing feminist movement gradual
16、ly penetrated into the political and economic activities in the South, Southern women also began to demand work and education. 市民战争 和奴隶制的废除很大影响了人民的思想，从南美发展起来的女权运动逐渐渗入到南美的 政治经济活动中，南美的女人也开始对工作和教育有了需求 They called for social reform, to get rid of the shackles of womens stereotypes in a patriarchal socie
17、ty, against the rules and prohibitions imposed by society. More and more women with high social status are knocking at the door to the career which a man who once ruled. Women began to move out of the shadow of the man, in all aspects of social life as an independent individual.她们呼吁社会改革，去摆脱在男权社会里对女性
18、老套束缚的镣铐， 反对社会强加于女性的规则和禁止。更多有较高社会地位的女人敲开了曾经限制女人的 事业之门。女人开始摆脱女性的音乐，在社会生活的各方面成为独立的个体。 Kate Chopin is a writer of this era. Of course, her feminist ideology is inextricably linked with her family environment. She was born in 1850 in St. Louis, Missouri. His father is Irish descent and his mother was Fre
19、nch descent. When she was five years old, his father died in an accident when traveling. 凯特肖邦就是这个时期的作家，当然，她的女权意识与她的生活 环境有着密切的里阿尼，她生于 1850 年密苏里圣路易斯，她的父亲是爱尔兰人，她的 母亲是法国人，在她五岁那年，她的爸爸在一起旅行中意外去世。 黑龙江外国语学院 2012-2013 学年 第 1 学期 Term 1 2012-20123Academic Year Heilongjiang International University 第 4 页 共 8 页
20、Since then, the young Kate, who lived with a widowed mother, a grandmother and her grandmother. Their wisdom, independent and strong, had a tremendous impact for the Kate character and future creation. 从那之后，年幼的凯特和她的寡妇母亲，外公外婆住在一起， 他们的智慧，独立，坚强，对凯特的个性和未来创作有了很大的影响 Kate has been gender equality in educat
21、ion and the impact of feminist ideas in this family. In the process of growing up, she showed a strong rebellion, and out of tune with the social requirements for women. 凯特在家中要求教育上的男女平等，受到女权思想的影响，在 她成长过程中，她展现出了很强的叛逆，与社会对女性的要求唱反调 At age 20, Kate married Oscar Chopin who was born in a rich family. Osc
22、ar Chopin appreciates Kates sense of independence and intelligence very much, doubly respected her concept of freedom and equality. Unfortunately, proper middle-aged, Oscar Chopin died of malaria, Kate began his literary creation in the short-term management of her husbands legacy business and was a
23、 great success.在她二十岁那年，凯特与奥斯卡结婚了，奥斯卡出生在富 有的家庭，他非常欣赏凯特的独立感和智慧，同时尊重她对于自由和平等的观念。不幸 的是，奥斯卡中年死于疾病，在短暂的管理丈夫遗产的公司后，凯特开始了她的文学创 作之路并取得了成功 In her works, Kate continues to explore the idea of women liberation road, challenge the concept of equality and pursuit individual freedom. This freedom is not just physi
24、cal liberation, and spiritual independence and resistance for the feudal concept in the male dominated society. 在她的工作中，凯特继续探索女性解放之路，挑战平等和追求个人自由的观念，这种自 由不仅是肉体的自由，还有精神独立和在男权社会中封建观念的阻力 “The Story of an Hour,” while not directly accountable to the reader the social background of the story takes place. B
25、ut from the context, we can determine Louise is a housewife in high society, and In real life has always been to suppress her individuality. Before she heard her husbands death which is misinformation, she did not have the opportunity to express views on their marriage, just obedience and tolerant.
26、When she heard this rumor which as the opportunity wake her feminist consciousness. Let her know, though she loved their husbands, but most of the time in her marriage is not love. Combined with the social reality of the American South in the 19th century, and the authors spiritual pursuit, the sudd
27、en awakening of 黑龙江外国语学院 2012-2013 学年 第 1 学期 Term 1 2012-20123Academic Year Heilongjiang International University 第 5 页 共 8 页 her feminist consciousness can be found not only logical, but the novel is full of dramatic change, and therefore more powerful. III. The Creative Approach of the Performance
28、 of Female Consciousness 3.1. Use contrast to highlight the significance of Female Consciousness Chopin successfully use the two sets of sharp contrast, portrayed Louise sudden awakening of feminist consciousness: The set of comparison is the different reactions of Louise and her sister Josephine an
29、d her husbands friend Richards when they heard Brently Mallards death; The other group is the haze of death and the nature of the recovery. Louise down uncontrollably, crying in the arms of her sister when she heard the new of her husbands death. After this, Louise alone back to the bedroom on the s
30、econd floor, wearily down on the sofa, choking back tears. Slowly calmed down, she felt their feelings changed, and this change is that she never experienced or even unimaginable, Therefore she fears awaits this slowly came over her indescribable emotions. When Louise realized that this power contro
31、ls her thoughts, her instinct but it is powerless to resist. Until this power to break through her weak in defense, the issue of “freedom” over and over again crooning. At the moment, Louises eyes, although still with fear, but a sense of excitement gradually control her, the great joy replaced the
32、grief of the widowed. She is happy to see that: “In the coming years, no one would live for her; she would live only for herself. Although men and women are blindly convinced that he is entitled to the personal will on others, but not let her succumb. At this point, she thinks whether well-intention
33、ed or malicious act itself would be a crime. ” Louise heart was filled with the joy of a new life. Josephine and Richards from the beginning of the story for granted that Louise will be distraught learned the bad news, and may even heart attack, so they carefully told her the new of her husbands dea
34、th. When Louise to shut him in a room, alone taste suddenly sprouted enormous happiness, Josephine is kneeling before the closed bedroom door begging Louise opened the door, the fear of accidents. When Brently Mallard returned, Richards hurried to stand in front of him, and 黑龙江外国语学院 2012-2013 学年 第 1
35、 学期 Term 1 2012-20123Academic Year Heilongjiang International University 第 6 页 共 8 页 want to avoid a huge surprise might bring Louise damage. Everyones expectations and the actual situation of Louise formed a strong contrast, strongly criticized the traditional concept of bondage and oppression for
36、women. The other group is the haze of death and the recovery of the nature. Chopin on the one hand with the concise and accurate language portrayed misinformation death generated the leading role emotional ups and downs. On the other hand, through the open window reproduce spring vitality sight. Aft
37、er the crying, the storm of grief gradually in the past, and Louise alone back to the room, occasionally sobbing, dull eyes staring out of the window. In this case, the author describes: “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring li
38、fe. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which someone was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves.” Such a cheerful voice, fresh smell and vivid color posed picture, with
39、 the Louises physically and mentally exhausted in stark contrast. Therefore, recovery with a new life in nature implies the awakening of feminist consciousness, like nature cannot resist the spring. For free life desire to break through her struggle and repression, control of her mind and body, to h
40、er over and over again issued a “free” crooning. At this moment, the shadow of death has vanished. Usher in a bright future which gets rid of the shackles, the desire for freedom of life, as well as pray for the new life. When this disillusionment due to her husbands unexpected return, tragedy will
41、inevitably occur. 3.2. Use irony to reveal the price of the female consciousness Chopin use irony to reveal the theme of freedom higher than life twice in his novel. First of all, Louise for her husbands death from sadness to joy, emotions change from mourning from happiness for her husband “back fr
42、om the dead“ constitutes the irony of traditional morality. Early to hear the bad news, her reaction does not like the vast majority of women in society as “immediately collapsed, unable to accept the reality”, but immediately cried, then pour in the arms of her sister. Later, Louise insisted going
43、back to her room. When Louise was faced with the natural world that is full of vitality, she initially filled with fear, and then infinite joy waiting for free time. Finally, faced with the unexpected her husbands return, 黑龙江外国语学院 2012-2013 学年 第 1 学期 Term 1 2012-20123Academic Year Heilongjiang Inter
44、national University 第 7 页 共 8 页 Louise emotions once again into great sorrow. Author though the leading roles location change, portray her emotional worlds changes, ironically prevailing social and moral oppression for women. More ironic is the doctors diagnosis of the cause of death of Louise heart
45、 attack caused by a huge surprise at the end in the novel. Thus, in addition to the leading role, the other characters in the story, without exception, that Louise had to have a happy family. The great sorrow of the loss of her husband has made her unable to extricate herself, the suddenly regained
46、her again bear a strong stimulus, bittersweet emotions change kill her. This conclusion is a great contrast to the Louise inner world, wonderful satire the ruthless social reality. IV. Conclusion Kate Chopins short stories in a creative approach greatly influenced by the contemporary French writer M
47、aupassant, story short, concise text. “At first glance, the novels language and narrative contradictions, and the plot of the story is usually sudden reversal at the end, giving unexpected sense. However, this sudden turn is often the crowning touch.” “The Story of an Hour” is one of the typical rep
48、resentatives. The theme of her novel mostly reflects the call for freedom and the pursuit of self. In the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century, the “deviant” thinking far beyond the social. Even in the womens liberation movement has experienced 100 years later, we found that
49、 the female consciousness implied in Chopins works are still coincides with the pulse of the times. No doubt, the interpretation of her works has a negligible practical significance. References: 1 Unknown. (2001). Kate Chopin. Retrieved November 21, 2001, from 2 Unknown. (2010). The Story of an Hour. Retrieved October 17, 2012, from 黑龙江外国语学院 2012-2013 学年 第 1 学期 Term 1 2012-20123Academic Year Heilongjiang International University 第 8 页 共 8 页 The theme of this story is about Feminist Consciousness knsns the call for freedom and the pursuit
