The first thing author Kate Chopin informs the reader of in The Story of an Hour is the fact that Louise Mallard suffers from "heart trouble." Before reading further, one assumes that this "heart trouble" is merely a physical condition that explains why she must be told carefully of her husband's death. However, as the story goes on, Chopin mentions the status of Louise's heart at different times, further emphasizing its importance. For instance, when Louise begins to contemplate life in the future without Brently, she is ironically excited. She realizes how little freedom she had within her marriage and looks forward to independence.
"'Free, free, free!' The vacant stare the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They statyed keen and bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body."
Only as Louis begins to envision her new and improved life does her heart begin to pump strongly and work efficiently. Thus, her "heart trouble" is not merely a physical issue, but an emotional issue as well. Louie's heart was emotionally "ill" because of her unhappiness with her marriage. This is comparable to the common term "heart break."
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