The Story of an Hour

Irony is a major element in the short story “The Story of an Hour”. The story introduces Mrs. Mallard as a woman with heart trouble and also introduces her husband’s death. Throughout most of the story, Mrs. Mallard has the belief that her husband died in a railroad disaster. Once Mrs. Mallard finds out about her husband, she cries. Her tears were not the typical tears that respond to death, but rather tears of joy. She began to visualize a new life on her own, and “monstrous joy” overtook her. Vivid details such as “new spring life,” and “delicious breath of rain” and “countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves” illustrate the enlightening mood that overwhelms Mrs. Mallard. Mrs. Mallard’s reaction to her husband’s death is quite ironic as most people would typically become deeply saddened over a close death. Also, another ironic moment is the closing of the story. As Mrs. Mallard dreams and celebrates her new, free life now that her husband is gone, a major shock occurs. Mr. Mallard shows up at the house. He was not actually involved in the railroad accident and it was just a misunderstanding; Mrs. Mallard dies in shock as a result of his appearance. This particular moment shows irony as Mrs. Mallard dies at the same time as she realizes that her husband is actually alive.

 Certain lines throughout the story foreshadow the turn of events that are about to occur. For example, “There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it fearfully. What was it? She did not know; it was too subtle and too elusive to name. But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her” foreshadows that death is coming to her. Also, “she was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her” is another example of foreshadowing that sets up Mrs. Mallard’s death.  Mrs. Mallard’s “heart troubles” also foreshadow what will happen. The author introduces her character and instantly mentions her heart disease. The story closes with “When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease—of the joy that kills.” People originally thought that Mrs. Mallard would die of heartbreak at the death of her husband, but instead she actually dies when she finds out that her husband is alive. The first line foreshadows the events ahead and helps represent irony at its finest.