“The Story of an Hour” is a short story. It falls under a political and literary movement that’s now called first-wave feminism, though this terminology didn’t yet exist when the story was published in 1894. The “first wave” of the feminist movement was taking place in the late 19th century, when “The Story of an Hour” is set. Its central concern was women’s independence, particularly suffrage (the right to vote). Accordingly, some first-wave feminist literature critiques inequality between men and women, while some simply presents a narrative from a female point of view—a radical choice at this time.
Both of these characteristics are true for “The Story of an Hour.” First, the story is centered on the female protagonist, Louise Mallard’s, thoughts and feelings. Second, the story is concerned with women’s independence and gender relations. Louise feels so stifled in her role as a housewife that she’s actually happy when her husband dies in an accident, because this means that she can finally “live for herself.” This speaks to the idea that women’s lives were limited and often dissatisfying at this time, as most women were entirely dependent on their husbands and could only be housewives, mothers, or low-wage workers.
The story also critiques the institution of marriage as a whole, suggesting that it encourages both men and women to control and limit each other. As such, “The Story of an Hour” is an early feminist story in that it explores how people’s gendered expectations of one another can be oppressive and confining.
