Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of a Woman Analysis Essay Example

Twenty- four hours in the life of a woman is a novella by Stefan Zweig that opens with the guests obsessed with the tragic incident that took place at the Grand Palace Hotel after a prepossessing young Frenchman’s arrival. When the young man abruptly left the hotel, the guests were woken up by Madame Henriette’s husband’s deafening clamor. That night, we learn that the wife of the thick-set manufacturer from Lyon had run away with this mysterious stranger. The guests of the hotel were hungry for this delicious gossip. This incident causes discussions about morality and how a woman should protect her and her husband’s dignity.

When I read that book, I was shocked at how real it felt to me. It was so humane and vulnerable. Overall, it is a gripping story, -no surprise- we’re talking about Stefan Zweig here. The frailness of the characters will not allow you to leave the book aside. We do not know what the outcome of Madame Henriette’s actions is, but they are so apprehensible that one can almost say good for her. I admired her courage to follow her heart, the lust, the desire, and the thrill she felt when she was running away with a stranger. Of course, Mrs C is right, and this behavior could end in a shocking end; like hers. But life is all about making colossal or insignificant mistakes, you must make them arise to learn. Who knows; there could be a better and brighter future ahead of you? Despite everyone’s grumbling about Madame Henriette, there is someone who thinks a bit outside the box, our narrator. This led to Mrs C finally revealing her heartbreaking news just 24 hours ago.

This is a story that keeps you wondering through. One can feel and experience what the characters undergo. Especially the scenes felt so real where the characters think lamentable, feeling they don’t have a choice, that they can’t find another way to solve the problems that they’re facing.

What I didn’t cherish about the story was the women in it were minimized in certain situations, but I can totally understand that there were dark times.

To sum up, I treasure this story. It can be accepted as a life lesson. I insist every young person; particularly young women should read it at least once in their lifetime. I inhaled it 3-4 times to this day. The story is short but filled with tense moments, if you want to be shocked and thrilled in as little as an hour Twenty-Four Hours in The Life of a Woman is the spot-on choice for you.