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Story Of An Hour Situational Irony Essay

583 Words3 Pages

In the short story, “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, Mrs. Mallard receives the news of her husband’s death, which she initially feels sad about but later sees beyond the bitter moment and feels joyous and free instead. In the end, Mr. Brently Mallard surprisingly enters, alive and well, while Mrs Mallard dies of shock and “happiness”. During these events, the three types of irony ( situational, verbal and dramatic) are prevalent and demonstrated.. Firstly, the short story has many instances that display situational irony. For example, Mrs. Mallard is sorrowful once she finds out about her husband’s passing. This feeling of grief would normally be long-lasting, considering that “she had loved him -- sometimes”. Nevertheless, she undergoes …show more content…

Secondly, verbal irony is presented in the story although minimally. It is mentioned in the beginning that Mrs. Mallard is afflicted with a “heart trouble.” It is automatically assumed by the audience that the affliction is physical, and is solely related to her organ. Yet, as the story progresses, it can be seen that her “heart trouble” is not only physical, but also related to her mental well-being. The pun exemplifies that Mrs. Mallard is discontent with her life, and is exhausted of “powerful will[s] bending hers”. Her “heart trouble” is alleviated with her husband’s death, as she is finally able and ready to live with the freedom that she has been longing for. Lastly, several occurrences in the story suggests dramatic irony. When Mrs. Mallard is locked up in the room, Josephine implores admission and begins to worry about her as she will make herself ill. While Josephine begs her, the audience is conscious of Mrs. Mallard’s true feelings of happiness. Mrs. Mallard has seemingly become depressed and been mourning, and Josephine does not want to leave her alone. Ironically, it is divulged to the readers that Mrs. Mallard has long desired to be alone. To her, solitude does not connote being lonely, but rather being free and

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