“The Story of an Hour” by Kate ChopinStudy Questions

1. The story says Mrs. Mallard “had loved him [her husband]–sometimes. Often she did not.” If she was “often” not in love with him, why did she marry him?
She probably didn't have a choice. During those times, women were socially obligated to get married and have children. She probably felt this way
2. What was life like for Mrs. Mallard in the home of Brently Mallard?
She probably had a life that she wishes she didn't have. She probably didn't love her husband to the full extent as she has probably dreamt when she was a little girl.
3. In the report of the train accident, Brently Mallard's name was at the top of the list of fatalities (Paragraph 2). Does this information mean that Mallard was an important citizen in his community? Does it also suggest that perhaps Louise married him, in part, because of his standing in the community?
She probably did because she probably wanted to be financially stabled and not worry about not having money for food or clothing.
4. Do you believe Brently Mallard mistreated his wife? In answering this question, keep in mind the following: (1) In Paragraph 13, Louise Mallard recalls that Brently was kind and that "he had never looked save with love upon her." (2) However, Paragraph 8 had previously informed the reader that Mrs. Mallard's face "bespoke repression," and Paragraph 14 says Brently had a "powerful will bending her."
I don't think he mistreated his wife in the fact that he hitted her but I do believe that he was probably a controlling husband and controled her every move. He made sure that his wife did everything a wife should do such as clean and cook.
5. How much of Mrs. Mallard's apparent unhappiness in her marriage was her own fault?
Not that much. I think it is Brently's fault that she is sad because I believe that she tried to keep him as happy as possible.
6. After Mrs. Mallard receives news that her husband died in a train accident, she goes to “her room.” Do these two words mean that she slept separately from her husband? Does the fact that no children are named in the story indeed indicate that she and her husband slept apart?
I don't think she had her own room. She probably shared the room but since she thought he died in the car accident, she probably named the room hers now.
7. Research the life of Kate Chopin (1851-1904). Then decide whether the death of her husband in 1882 influenced her when she wrote “The Story of an Hour,” published in 1894 in Vogue magazine.8. Did author Chopin herself face problems similar to those of Mrs. Mallard?
I dont think she faced the same problems. She probably did but I think she didn't show it that much.