Question

“Irony of the Hour” Supply the 3 kinds of irony Chopin employed in the story. How were they effective in fulfilling the disambiguation element of the story?

Answer 1

In 'The Story of an Hour', Kate Chopin employs dramatic irony, situational irony, and verbal irony. These types of irony serve to fulfill the disambiguation element of the story and add depth to the characters and their emotions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The three kinds of irony that Kate Chopin employed in the story 'The Story of an Hour' are dramatic irony, situational irony, and verbal irony.

1. Dramatic irony: In the story, the readers know that Mrs. Mallard's husband is actually alive, while she believes he is dead. This creates dramatic irony as Mrs. Mallard experiences a mix of emotions upon learning of her husband's supposed death.
2. Situational irony: The story also includes situational irony because, at first, Mrs. Mallard feels trapped and confined in her marriage. However, when she thinks her husband is dead, she experiences a sense of liberation and freedom.
3. Verbal irony: Lastly, verbal irony is present when Mrs. Mallard's sister, Josephine, thinks she is grieving for her husband's death, but in reality, she is actually celebrating her newfound freedom.

These kinds of irony effectively fulfill the disambiguation element of the story by creating tension, surprise, and revealing the contrast between appearance and reality. They add depth to the story and highlight the complex emotions and internal struggles of the characters.