Irony in "The Story of an Hour"
             In "The Story of an Hour," Kate Chopin uses a single hour in the main character, Mrs. Mallard's life, to reveal a series of twists and irony that lead to an unexpected ending. Mrs. Mallard receives news about her husband's death from her sister and a friend of the family. They are worried about breaking the news to her because she is afflicted with a heart condition. The use of dramatical and situational irony in this story, is essential it gives incite to the main character feelings, and the twist in the storyline.
             The use of dramatical irony is seen when Mrs. Mallard receives the news of her husband's death. She seems to be stricken with grief, "She wept once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms." These actions lead the other characters in the story to believe that she is reacting to the news as anyone would in a situation so tragic. The author sends the story into a different direction by letting the reader in on Mrs. Mallard's true feelings. The twist is that Mrs. Mallard's thoughts of her husband's death are not of grief, but enlightenment. "When she abandoned herself a little whisper word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under her breath: "free, free, free!" This line alone shows perfect use of dramatic irony, while the other characters think she is in mourning; alone in her room Mrs. Mallard, is looking forward to her new-found freedom. Instead of feeling sorrow of living life without her husband, "she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely." There would be no one to live for during the coming years; she would live for herself. In actuality, Mrs. Mallard feels a sense of relief, liberation, and a chance to live her life for herself.
             At first, the story appears to be about how Mrs. Mallar...