Question

the story of an hour by kate chopin

text from the story: have been. when she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. she said it over and over under her breath: \free, free, free!\ the vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. they stayed keen and bright. her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body. she did not stop to ask if it were or were not a monstrous joy that held her. a clear and exalted perception enabled her to dismiss the suggestion as trivial.

multiple-choice question
mrs. mallard goes through a range of emotions. what are they?

first, she is in despair because without her husband, she will be poor.
then, she is ashamed of being greedy.
finally, she realizes that there is no reason to be ashamed because she has done nothing wrong.

first, she is grief - stricken.
then, she is terrified to face her true emotions.
finally, she realizes that her husbands death has freed her, and this makes her joyful.

Explanation:

The passage shows Mrs. Mallard's emotional progression: first, she feels grief-struck at the news of her husband's death (a common initial reaction to loss), then she experiences a thrilling sense of freedom (evidenced by her repeating "free, free, free!" and her physical signs of relief/warmth), and finally, she realizes this newfound freedom brings her profound joy, not guilt. The second set of options aligns with this arc.

Answer:

First, she is grief-stricken.
Then, she is thrilled by her new freedom.
Finally, she realizes that her husband's death has freed her, and this makes her joyful.