In “The Story of an Hour” Chopin uses irony and symbolism to help the reader understand the relationship between the Mallards. Symbolism is often used in stories to explain characters' emotions or problems. Chopin uses many objects to represent Louis Mallard's freedom. Chopin also uses irony in all three ways; Dramatic, situational and verbal. The most drastic irony he used in "The Story of an Hour" was situational irony. Situational irony was used when doctors said that Louis died "from the joy that kills." The characters did not know that Louis was dead contrary to what they intended. Having a heart problem they believe that Louis died out of love for her husband, on the contrary she died at the sight of her undesirable (living) husband. Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" was about a married woman named Louis, who has a serious heart condition. Louis Mallard was informed of her husband's death. Feeling oppressed by her husband [the normality of life as a wife in 1900] Brently Mallard caused a turning point in her reaction to the news. Instead of mourning her husband's death, Lois wonders about the thoughts of her new freedom. The more she is immersed in her thoughts, the more trapped she becomes in her own mind. The objects and the spring help her deal with her guilt. When she is removed from the window, her freedom is also taken away. When she finds out that her husband is alive she can't bear the thought and soon her whole world has “descended”. (489)Saldivar4In “The Story of an Hour” Chopin uses irony in a way that gives the ending a shocking surprise. According to the University of Hawaii the character Louis feels controlled because "She loved her husband at times, but in a sense she was dead, a body subjected to...... middle of paper... was the cause" . of his death. It's amazing that an hour of peace and quiet is powerful enough to trap you in positive thinking. The short time in which she triumphed over her husband's death and the beginning of her "newfound freedom" (free essay) seemed to have lasted only an hour. Works Cited123aiutamiPublishers. “Symbolism in 'The Story of an Hour.'”123helpme.123helpme, Inc., N. d. Network. March 17, 2014.Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour." Heritage of American literature. Ed.JamesE.Miller.vol.2.Austin: Harcourt brace Jovanovich, 1991.487.Print.Lorcher, Trent. “Symbolism in 'The Story of an Hour'.” Bright Education.N hub. p.17 March 2014. Shmoop editors. "'Story of an Hour'-Heart Trouble." Shmoop, Inc. and web. March 17, 2014. University of Hawaii Editors. “The Ironies of Life in Kate Chopin's 'The Story of an Hour'.” Hawaii.edu. N.pnd Web. 17 March 2014.