Metaphor, simile, irony, and symbolism, these are just a few of countless figurative language uses that are used in short stories, poems, novels and any other literary work. The use of any of these literary languages is to figure out what the author is trying to say. The author might also add a certain tone to the story, or a central theme to help the reader understand. In the short story, “The Story of an Hour”, written by Kate Chopin there are two main uses of figurative language used to allow the reader to better understand the thoughts of the main character and also to get an idea as to why Chopin wrote this short story. The use of irony is central to the theme as well as symbolism. “The Story of an Hour”, set around the end of the nineteenth
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Mallard, was killed in an accident. Mrs. Mallard responds to the death of her husband what she thinks to be the most appropriate way of responding, which is to cry dramatically, instead of being numb with the news. Mrs. Mallard then proceeds to go to her room to grieve alone, but then realizes that she will have independence in her life. This sudden realization of being an independent woman makes Mrs. Mallard happy. Mrs. Mallard’s sister, Josephine, calls her out of her room because she doesn’t want Mrs. Mallard to hurt herself. As they are both walking down the stairs the front door opens, and her not dead husband is standing there. Mrs. Mallard appears to have a heart attack, but it is too late for the doctors so she is pronounced dead. The use of irony is a major component in the story, “The Story of an Hour”. In the start of the story the character, Richards, finds out that Mr. Mallard has died in an accident. It is said in the story that, “He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram…”(Chopin 496). This is ironic because Richards doesn’t exactly know one hundred percent that Mr. Mallards is dead. After finding out the death of her husband, Mrs. Mallard cried “with sudden,
Mallard, was killed in an accident. Mrs. Mallard responds to the death of her husband what she thinks to be the most appropriate way of responding, which is to cry dramatically, instead of being numb with the news. Mrs. Mallard then proceeds to go to her room to grieve alone, but then realizes that she will have independence in her life. This sudden realization of being an independent woman makes Mrs. Mallard happy. Mrs. Mallard’s sister, Josephine, calls her out of her room because she doesn’t want Mrs. Mallard to hurt herself. As they are both walking down the stairs the front door opens, and her not dead husband is standing there. Mrs. Mallard appears to have a heart attack, but it is too late for the doctors so she is pronounced dead. The use of irony is a major component in the story, “The Story of an Hour”. In the start of the story the character, Richards, finds out that Mr. Mallard has died in an accident. It is said in the story that, “He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram…”(Chopin 496). This is ironic because Richards doesn’t exactly know one hundred percent that Mr. Mallards is dead. After finding out the death of her husband, Mrs. Mallard cried “with sudden,