Literary Techniques in “The Story of an Hour” Writing a good short story is difficult. A strategic use of literary devices is needed to get the author’s point across in a short amount of time. The use of literary devices can also make a short story much more engaging. In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”, she uses a multitude of techniques to create an engaging story. Chopin creates a memorable story through her effective use of descriptive language, irony, and a gripping twist ending. From the very beginning of the story, Chopin uses descriptive language in various ways. At the very beginning, it is used describe the main character. She is described as: “...young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain …show more content…
After receiving news of her husband’s death, Mrs.Mallard’s thoughts take an odd turn: “There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature” (Chopin). This is an example of situational irony because it is unusual for one to respond with happiness in a situation like this. As mentioned previously, the description of the weather is ironic. Mrs.Mallard looks out the window in her room and sees: “There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds that had met and piled one above the other in the west facing her window.” (Chopin). This is an example of situational irony because blue skies and good weather are associated with happiness and, that is the exact opposite of her current situation. The ending of the story is probably its most ironic element. The last line is: “When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease--of the joy that kills” (Chopin). This is incredibly ironic because it was believed that she died of joy at seeing her husband alive, but she actually died of shock and
Irony is a useful device for giving stories many unexpected twists and turns. In Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," irony is used as an effective literary device. Situational irony is used to show the reader that what is expected to happen sometimes doesn't. 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 Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" through the use of situational irony and the use of dramatic irony.
In the essay, “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, many reactions are created by the author. Chopin uses many tricks to make her work interesting and attention-grabbing. The essay makes the reader think and react with emotions about many of the events occurring, Overall, the essay is intriguing, but the essay can become confusing in some parts. For the most part, Chopin’s essay is appealing for the readers.
Nevertheless, Kate Chopin uses two types of irony in “The Story of an Hour” to reflect her views. Situational irony refers to the opposite of what is supposed to happen, and dramatic irony occurs when the reader knows something that the rest of the characters in the story do not know. The irony in this short story makes the reader understand that the unexpected happens in life.
A very dull and boring story can be made into a great story simply by adding in something that is unexpected to happen. When the unexpected is used in literature it is known as irony. An author uses irony to shock the reader by adding a twist to the story. The author of “The Story of an Hour” is Kate Chopin. Her use of irony in the story is incredibly done more than once. Irony is thinking or believing some event will happen but in return the unexpected or opposite occurs. Kate Chopin uses two types of irony in this short story. Situational irony refers to the opposite of what is supposed to happen, and dramatic irony occurs when the audience or reader knows something that the rest of the
In the short story, Story of an Hour, Kate Chopin uses diction and syntax to create a riveting and complex tone, that engages the readers and leaves them thinking long after the story is over. The story has many layers, and like a Kardashian, may make readers cry. With unexpected twists and turns, the reader must truly put themselves in Mrs. Mallard's position and time period to understand the dramatic irony used.
This paper will examine the life of Kate Chopin along with her writing style and theme in The Story of an Hour and The Awakening. Chopin has a unique writing style that shows throughout all of her works. Her works carry similar themes that include: women in search of independence, negative views of marriage, and self-assertion. While reading Chopin’s work, the reader will conclude that Chopin’s writing is very inspiring because she incorporates obstacles that she faced throughout her life. With this technique used, it is easier for the reader to connect with Chopin on a personal level while reading her works.
Kate Chopin uses irony in her stories to show true emotion. It is also used to show feelings as well. Throughout her short story "The Storm," several examples of irony come forth, whether it be verbal, situational, or dramatic, it aids us to stay focused on the story by keeping it interesting.
Throughout the story, she uses detailed passages to describe how Mrs. Mallard feels about her husband and his death. Chopin uses scenic and beautiful words to describe the way Mrs. Mallard is feeling after the news of her husband’s death. “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which someone was singing reached her faintly and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves. There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds that had met and piled one above the other in the west facing her window”(Page 498). This use of imagery allows the readers to picture how Mrs. Mallard feels and how she looks at life now. Chopin also uses other passages to describe, in detail, how Mrs. Mallard looks, after all, this chaos. “She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength. But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought (Page 498). This use of imagery allows the reader to grasp a full picture, in their minds, of what she looks
Imagine there is an agent who works for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and he is one of their best agents. One weekend, the gets pulled over for speeding, and the police officer notices prescription drugs that are his in his car. The officer then conducts a search on his car and finds a plastic bag full of cocaine. This is an example of irony. Literary irony can be used to get the readers attention, to cause the reader to stop and think, and to emphasize the author’s main point or idea. Kate Chopin’s “The Story of An Hour” has many instances of irony. These instances of irony are used as ensure the reader’s attention, to provoke thought, and the most important use is to emphasize the idea of how oppressive some marriages can be and how that oppressiveness can be a secret to other loved ones.
Irony in “The Story of an Hour” and “The Rocking Horse Winner” In “The Story of an Hour” and “The Rocking Horse Winner,” both Kate Chopin and D.H. Lawrence show irony in their stories by terminating the main character. Mrs. Mallard and Paul ironically pass away because of a loved one. Mrs. Mallard dies because of her husband’s unexpected return, and Paul dies expressing his love for his mother. Mrs. Mallard and Paul are similar in their deaths, yet the causes of their deaths are very different.
Chopin tells the story through the narrator's voice. The narrator isn’t a spectator, however. The narrator, for example, knows that Mrs. Mallard, did not love her husband (paragraph 15). It is made clear that the narrator, knew more than what could be easily noticed by the reader. Chopin, never informs the reader what Mrs. Mallard is feeling. Instead, as the reader one is forced to observe all Mrs. Mallard's words and actions to understand how Mrs. Mallard feels.
I chose to do my analysis on the short story, “The Story Of An Hour”. The themes I see in this story is the quest for identity/coming of age, romantic/love, birth, and death. It is about a woman named Mrs. Mallard. She was an elderly lady and had a heart complications. Her sister Josephine and her husband’s friend Richards had to break the news to her that her husband, Brently Mallard, has been killed in a railroad disaster. Mrs. Mallard was sorrowful and sobbed in her sisters’ arms. After her grieving process, she wanted to be alone, so she went to her room and locked herself in. As she sat in the window, she seem to be calmer and accepted her husband’s death. She was not distressed of what had happened. She began to say the words “free” and her heart
In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of An Hour”, there happens to be a gender issue. Louise Mallard has just learned the news of her husband dying in an accident and she honestly does not know how to feel about it. In the essay, there are two literary terms that stand out more than the others. The two terms are foil and mood. Chopin sets the mood early in the essay by stating that, “Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death” (Chopin 13).
Kate Chopin’s impressive literary piece, The Story of an Hour, encompasses the story of an hour of life, an hour of freedom. We must seize the day and live our lives to the fullest without any constraints. This very rich and complete short story carries a lot of meaning and touches a readers feelings as well as mind. Throughout this piece much symbolism is brought about, which only helps us to understand the meaning and success of Kate Chopin’s work. Kate allows her reader to think and allows us to understand the meaning of her story with the different uses of symbols such as heart troubles, the armchair, the open window, springtime, and the calm face and goddess of victory. We eventually realize little by little that Mrs. Mallard
Chopin uses foreshadowing in the first sentences of the story by telling readers that “Mrs. Mallard was afflicted