Question

Overall, why is The Story of an Hour ironic?

a) The protagonist is thrilled about her husband's death.
b) The protagonist's husband returns alive despite reports of his death.
c) The events take place over several days instead of an hour.
d) The story is set in a location with no concept of time.

Answer 1

The Story of an Hour is ironic because the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, experiences a sense of liberation and joy when she hears of her husband's death, which is an unconventional and unexpected reaction. The story is set within the span of an hour, highlighting the limited timeframe in which Mrs. Mallard experiences this newfound freedom before her husband unexpectedly returns alive. This situational irony emphasizes the contrast between her initial feelings and the reality that unfolds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Story of an Hour is ironic because the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, experiences a sense of liberation and joy when she hears of her husband's death, which is an unconventional and unexpected reaction. This ironic twist challenges the traditional expectations of a wife's reaction to her husband's death.

In addition, the story is set within the span of an hour, highlighting the limited timeframe in which Mrs. Mallard experiences this newfound freedom before her husband unexpectedly returns alive. This situational irony further emphasizes the contrast between her initial feelings and the reality that unfolds.