Lihua conclude that such a woman cannot live on this earth, therefore, causing her death. When she hears of her husband's death, Mrs. Mallard weeps in her sister's arms. Her reaction could be seen as genuine and coming from a place of pain. However, a second look could suggest that these are tears of joy. She was "pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach her soul" simply because she was tired of her life and needed a change. After emerging from her room following the news of her husband, "she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory." In an article written in 2004, Mark Cunningham argues that Louise Mallard's death was not caused because of her excitement or her sadness of her husband's passing. He argues that Louise Mallard dies after the "adrenaline rush of her shock" wore off and that her dying when her husband returns "is more ironic than melodramatic." Cunningham discusses in his article that with the new found freedom Mrs. Mallard received, she has "[lost] any place for her in male dominated society." and that there is no society were she will have a place. Film adaptation In 1984, director Tina Rathbone released a film adaptation of the story titled The Joy That Kills. This film is based on Kate Chopin's story, "The Story of an Hour". The main character, portrayed by Frances Conroy, also suffers from a heart condition, just like Louise Mallard does. This production is mostly concerned with the psychological state of the main character. References External links 1894 short stories Feminist short stories Short stories by Kate Chopin Short stories adapted into films Works originally published in Vogue (magazine)