Mid-term writing test

The Story of an Hour


Part A: Questions

1. Louise Mallard’s opinion of marriage is that it is a sort of powerful will that binds men and women together against their choice. It is in the second sentence of the 12th paragraph that Mrs. Mallard gives her clear opinion of marriage.

3. Louise sees her life as a widow as a great opportunity to live for herself and for no one else. She sees her life beginning instead of ending: “There would be no one to live for during those coming years…”

4. Louise Mallard stops crying because she soon realizes that life as a widow will be grand. She lets whatever is coming for her possess her and realizes she is free: “The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright.”

5. There is a long description of what is outside Louise’s window to illustrate the freedom that she has been missing out on, and will soon get to experience. Outside it is sunny and there is a bright blue sky, and it is the beginning of spring which could be interpreted as the beginning of a new life for her.


Part B: Development question

Irony is used in English to communicate the opposite of what one actually means. For example someone could say: “I’m not angry!” But in fact they are angry and are simply using irony to depict it. It is basically to say one thing but to mean another.

In The Story of an Hour, the author uses irony to explain how the main character reacts to the death of her husband; and also to explain what happens at the end of the story. Firstly, at the beginning of the story, Louise Mallard learns of the death of her husband. She falls into the arms of her sister Josephine and is absolutely abashed by the news. She then proceeds to go to her room and weep, but it only takes her a short period of time to get over the drama and to realize how happy she actually is about the news. This situation is quite ironic because Mrs. Mallard appears to be very saddened by the news, but then turns around and feels great about it. The author, at the beginning of the story, makes us believe that the death of Mr. Mallard is a very tragic event for his wife, but in fact it is one of the best things that could have happened to her.

Later on in the story, there is another situation depicted that is ironic: Louise Mallard fights with all her might not to let whatever is coming for her possess her, but not long after; she does let it overcome her and she is filled with joy. She pretends that she is not happy about the news and that the loss of her husband has crushed her, but the irony of it, is that it takes her no time at all to be joyful about the situation.

Lastly, at the end of the story, when we all thought that Mr. Mallard was dead, the author surprises us, and we learn that in fact he is still alive and well. He was nowhere near the accident and it was all a huge mistake. Mrs. Mallard cannot take the news and dies from a so-called heart disease. This situation is the most ironic of the story because, the entire time, it revolves around the death of Brently Mallard, but at the end of it all, it is not him who dies, but in fact it is Mrs. Mallard who perishes from the “joy that kills”. The author uses irony to lead the reader in one direction, but at the end uses it to surprise him by changing the idea he had already preconceived. It is a very efficient way to have the reader react to the story and to raise discussions.