Irony in Kate Chopins Story of an Hour Essay -- Chopin Story of An Ho

Irony in Chopins composition of an Hour Irony is a useful device for giving stories many unexpected twists and turns. In Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour, irony is used as an effective literary device. Situational irony is used to fate the proofreader that what is expected to happen sometimes doesnt. Dramatic irony is used to clue the reader in on something that is happening that the characters in the story do not know about. Irony is used throughout Chopins The Story of an Hour through the use of situational irony and the use of dramatic irony. Situational irony is used in The Story of an Hour through Mrs. Mallards reaction to her husbands death and the description of the settings around her at this time. Upon hearing the news of her husbands death, Mrs. Mallard wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment (Chopin 213). It appeared to everyone that as a result of her husbands death, Mrs. Mallard was incredibly sad. She insisted upon being alone and retreated to her r oom. The sort of reaction she had seems like one typical to someone who had just doomed a loved one. She experienced grief and shock. However, once she is alone in her room, the reader discovers another side of her emotions. Once she calms down, she whispers Free, free, free (Chopin 214), and the reader realizes that she is not having a typical reaction. Instead of being saddened by the loss of her husband, Mrs. Mallard is relieved. She saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to keep an eye on that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome (Chopin 214). Mrs. Mallard, instead of wondering who will support her in years to come, realizes that she will put on no one binding her a... ...sease - of joy that kills (Chopin 215). While all of the characters in the story think that Mrs. Mallard died of joy, the reader of the story knows otherwise. Mrs. Mallard actually died because she was heart-broken and ball over at the reality of her husband being alive. With the news of him being alive, her plans for a free, self-sufficient future are dashed. The use of irony is integral to the plot of The Story of and Hour by Kate Chopin. Situational irony is used to surprise the reader and add an interesting twist to Mrs. Mallards discovery of her husbands death. Dramatic irony is used to give the reader insight into Mrs. Mallards situation. The use of irony serves to make the story more interesting and the ending becomes a complete surprise to the reader. Works Cited Chopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour. New York Penguin Books, 1984.