Irony And Symbolism In Kate Chopin's The Story Of An Hour

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In this story, Chopin discusses issues with the female role in society through the brief but effective “The Story of an Hour.” After Mrs. Mallard learns of her husband’s death she begins to feel conflicting emotions about the situation. She mourns his death at first, then she experiences a sense of hope and freedom from the oppression of her marriage. Then the story has an unexpected twist, and her husband walks through the door and she dies from disappointment. The story “The Story of an Hour” develops a limited but great setting, amazing character development, vast amounts of irony, and symbolism to get the authors point across. “The Story of an Hour” takes place in the late nineteenth century, when traditional gender roles were enforced. The time of the story is restricted because it takes place within one hour…show more content…
Mallard’s heart trouble and the open window. Mrs. Mallard’s heart condition is a symbolic representation of her feelings about her spouse and lack of freedom. When she thinks about her new independence “Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body” (Chopin Par. 11). When Mrs. Mallard dies at the end of the story the reader would think that it was normal because of the diagnoses of heart disease. There is also a sense of irony since the doctor said that she died of “joy that kills” (Chopin Par. 23) but in reality she died of overpowering disappointment. The open window is a symbolic representation of all of the things that await her now that her husband has passed away. The window being open is significant for the reason that it allowed Mrs. Mallard to visualize a clear future with nothing blocking her view. When Mrs. Mallard was looking out the window, she saw “creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, and the color that filled the air” (Chopin Par. 9). The scents and color represent the new life that she has ahead of

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