Help: Cannot remember title or author of story!

[beatlegirl8705]

Hello, I'm new, and it seems like there are a lot of people here who really know their literature. I am searching fervently for a fascinating story I read in high school about a woman who decides to take a vow of silence for a year, and when it is finally time for her to speak again, she is unable to utter a word, and she dies. That's the basic plot that I remember from it, but I'm sure I could dredge up more details from my memory if need be. If anyone can offer some insight as to the author's name, or the title of the story, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!:p

[aeroport]

Sounds like something Hawthorne would come up with, but I'm not sure...
Could you give some idea as to the time period of the story?

[Niamh]

I was thinking something more along the lines of O' Henry for some bizzarre reason.....

[Kent Edwins]

Hawthorne immediately came to mind for me, too.

[Remarkable]

No,not O'Henry.He is more joyous even when speaking of misery.

Yes,Hawthorne is a probability for me too...

[ClickForth]

okokok

[beatlegirl8705]

Sounds like something Hawthorne would come up with, but I'm not sure...
Could you give some idea as to the time period of the story?

I believe it was mid-20th century, maybe later, but I could be mistaken. After all, I remember very little about the story, save for the basic plot. At the end, there's something about how when she tries to speak, she cannot because her vocal cords have atrophied, or something like that. It was a rather moving story when I read it, I wish I could remember!!

[beatlegirl8705]

If you really distort the story James Joyce's The Sisters has a few of these elements.

I just looked it up, and it's not the same story that I'm thinking of...thanks though. :)