Though this story was very short, there were many specific points made throughout and it constantly painted a picture in my mind. Maybe the story was even told over the course of an hour since that's the title. That makes a lot more sense as to why it was so short.
In the text, it says Mrs. Mallard has heart disease. But I do think her heart troubles are symbolic, too. The author says, "She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same," implying that Mrs. Mallard is not like other women. She feels deeply. So deeply in fact that her sister had to calm her down so that she didn't end up getting sick. Imagine that, being so unwell and fragile that a sudden shift of emotion could literally kill you.
This story may be limited in setting, but I think that's what made it so much better. Mrs. Mallard was in a small room with what seems to hold a calming atmosphere, like the comfortable couches and big window. Yet in this tiny place, she was feeling so much. That's why I could feel the pain in the story or any other emotion so much that I got sucked into the ocean of it all. The setting makes it easier for the reader to really see what's going on and to breathe in the same atmosphere as Mrs. Mallard.
I think the Mallards are very close. Mrs. Mallards siblings all were very aware of her condition and did whatever they could to provide for her, even in a short period of time. Even at the end when her husband arrived, Richard quickly tried to block him from sight so that Mrs. Mallards heart wouldn't fail. Despite his effort, it was too late.
"The Story of An Hour" is an excellent example of how powerful words are. This story was barely two pages and I felt more emotion in these few words than I have in a while.
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