8. The last line of the story is this: "When the doctors came, they said she had died of heart disease-of joy that kills." In what ways is this an ironic statement? What is gained by having the doctors make such a statement rather than putting it in the mouths of Josephine or Richards?

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Johnny Collier

Social Studies

23 July, 20:33

8. The last line of the story is this: "When the doctors came, they said she had died of heart disease-of joy that kills." In what ways is this an ironic statement? What is gained by having the doctors make such a statement rather than putting it in the mouths of Josephine or Richards?

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Lorelei Adkins · Answer 1

This is an ironic statement because the main character has been spending the middle part of the story being overjoyed that she will now be able to live the rest of her life freely now that her husband is supposedly dead. However, she died soon after. So she did spend the rest of her life being happy, but she was so happy that she died.

By having the doctor say that rather than Josephine or Richards, the discovery is given in an unemotional way. This allows for there to be no more introduction of the characters who knew her, and made sure that it was revealed unemotionally.