Structure provides guidance to the reader throughout a story. Kate Chopin uses structural techniques to enhance “The Story of an Hour” from beginning to end. It follows the formal structure to some extent, but occasionally deviates from the actual structure. By analyzing the organization of Chopin's story, the reader understands the powerful meaning expressed in such a short piece. Initially, a short story begins with exposition. This is the layout of important background information, characters, and setting. Chopin's story is only a few short paragraphs long, so its exposition is almost overlooked. However, it provides an essential detail to appreciate Mrs. Mallard. Louise is described as needing “great care” (Chopin, 293) due to her distressing “heart trouble” (Chopin, 293). This information is crucial to “The Story of an Hour” and can essentially be considered exposition. Mrs. Mallard's condition recurs in the resolution of the story, increasing its importance. Furthermore, the only other information that can be revealed in Chopin's exposition is the meaning that each phrase must contain vitality. The “dense structure” (SparkNotes) parallels the intensity presented in the brief hour of Louise's life. Although brief, the exposition of this story reveals information that the reader needs to understand. After that, following the exposition is the complication. The reader is exposed to the development of a major conflict through complication. In “Story of an Hour,” the complication is suddenly introduced when Chopin recalls how kindly Mrs. Mallard was informed of her husband's death. This news could cause her intense pain or death, which brings the reader to… middle of paper… n Hour” is a structural work that can be analyzed and criticized. Chopin organizes this piece beautifully and takes the reader on a journey, despite the stunted length. The formal structure is followed for most of the story, although some aspects are considered a unique and real structure. Kate Chopin guides the reader through an hour of Mrs. Mallard's life, which changes Louise, Mr. Mallard, and the reader, forever. Works Cited Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour." Literature: An introduction to reading and writing. Ed. Edgar V. Roberts and Robert Zweig. Compact 5th edition. New York: Pearson Longman, 2012. 293-95. The editorial team of Print.Shmoop. “The Story of an Hour-long Plot Analysis” Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., November 11, 2008. Web. February 16, 2014. SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on The Story of an Hour.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2007. Network. 7 February. 2014.