LINGUISTIC LIBERATION: A STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF SOUND AND FIGURATIVE DEVICES IN KATE CHOPIN'S THE STORY OF AN HOUR

Abstract

This study conducts a stylistic analysis of Kate Chopin's The Story of an Hour using Leech and Short's model to examine how linguistic devices convey the protagonist's emotional transformation and feminist themes. Focusing on phonological patterns and figurative language, the analysis reveals how Chopin's stylistic choices mirror Louise Mallard's journey from oppression to momentary liberation. Harsh consonant repetitions ("storm of grief") reflect tension, while soft vowel sounds ("spring days") and rhythmic repetitions ("free, free, free!") capture fleeting joy. The study demonstrates how third-person narration and allegorical elements critique 19th-century marital constraints, with metaphors like "elixir of life" symbolizing self-discovery. Findings show that sound patterns and lexical repetitions intensify the narrative's emotional impact, making Louise's abrupt tragedy more poignant. By connecting form to meaning, this analysis highlights how Chopin's craftsmanship - from phonological schemes to symbolic imagery - challenges societal norms while compressing profound psychological change into a single hour. The research ultimately illuminates how stylistic devices serve as powerful tools for feminist expression, transforming a brief story into a timeless commentary on freedom, identity, and patriarchal oppression.

Keywords: Kate Chopin, The Story of an Hour, phonology, stylistic, leech and short