Katherine Chopin has a different opinion of love, marriage, than most writers of
her day. In her writing she indicates to her readers that marriage, though built
on a foundation of love can not contain passion. Love is considered a feeling
that inspires passion, and romance. It continues on throughout the marriage, but
the passion and romance are lost somewhere in the struggles of married life.
This loss can also occur in the task of raising children, causing a sort of
neglect for the love of one’s life. Passion is what inspires an individual to
do anything. Chopin it seems is saying that this is an impossibility in marriage
in the since of love or sexual relationship. Passion however can be found
outside the marriage with other sexual partners. It can also be found in other
areas such as in “The Story of an Hour.” The main character in this story
exemplifies this truth by the statement made after she got over the shock of her
husband’s death, “Free, free, free!” Her passion came from the realization
that she was once again free to do as she wished. Marriage it seems is
considered somewhat sacred even though it was almost as if it was acceptable for
extramarital relations to take place in Chopin’s stories. She seems to think
this act of breaking the holy vows of marriage was a justifiable act.