Literary Devices in "The Story of an Hour"

Paper Summary:

In "The Story of an Hour," Kate Chopin describes a woman's reaction to the shocking news that her husband has died in a railroad accident and then her dramatic response to discovering that he is actually alive. This paper looks at how the author drapes an overall tone of irony behind her sympathetic attitude toward Mrs. Mallard and how she utilizes many literary elements including narrative, point of view, foreshadowing, theme, imagery, and use of metaphor, to establish her ironic tone.

From the Paper:

"The simple plot and omniscient point of view allow the author to focus on Mrs. Mallard's thoughts. This in turn aids in the expression of the story's theme, which focuses on Mrs. Mallard's desire for autonomy and freedom. What is ironic is that she expects to realize this desire only through her husband's death. Mrs. Mallard is generally presented as a likable and sympathetic character. The delicacy with which her sister breaks the news of her husband's death and the initial reference to Mrs. Mallard's "heart trouble" generate sympathy for her in the reader. This sympathetic disposition toward her is amplified later when she is described as "young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength." "

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