Kate Chopin's Short Stories

The story of an hour

 In what ways in this passage from "The Story of an Hour"significant? what kinds of sensory images does this passage contain, and what senses does it address? What does the vision through the open window symbolize? Where else does she taste, smell, or touch something  intangible in the story? 

"She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver  with the new spring life. 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 some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering and the eaves."

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This passage is significant because through Chopin's vivid images we see the rebirth of Louise Mallard, and what she sees in her future. The birds, the peddler, and the sounds of Spring all symbolize life, being alive, something she hadn't noticed or enjoyed for many years.

Source(s)

The Story of an Hour