Kate Chopin

            Often times in literature, an author utilizes specific literary devices to enhance an overall work. Kate Chopin adorns her short story, "The Story of an Hour," through irony. By establishing an ironic undertone, Chopin consecrates an exemplary work that becomes dependant on the literary device and, as a result of its being implicated, is renown worldwide. "The Story of an Hour" displays revolutionary style and techniques which formulate a storyline that well succeeds others in the literary arena. .
             Chopin's short story enabled the reader to interpret Louis Mallard, the main character, and society's view of her scenario as she ventured on an emotional rollercoaster. In the opening paragraph of the story, the author, through an omniscient point of view, initiated irony to contrast the two views. Mrs. Mallard, as the reader is informed in the first line, was afflicted with heart impairment. As "The Story of an Hour" develops further, the reader can infer that Mrs. Mallard's true heart complication is not from physical weakness, but from an oppressive marriage and the inability to live life freely. This was demonstrated in the text when Mrs. Mallard's enthusiasm of her new found freedom was described, "Her pulse beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body." (p.34) The commentary in Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama also pointed out the author's diction to lay the foundation for irony. For example, the word "abandon" was used in two different situations throughout the story. One showed Louis" initial response to the news of her husband's death, "She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms." (p. 33) "Abandoned" was also employed to illustrate Louis" revelation to her husband's death as it captured her growing excitement. "When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips." (p.