When a story turns out differently from the reader's expectations, it is an example of what? ("from "The Story of an Hour")

Question

Catalina Rogers

Social Studies

17 November, 15:20

When a story turns out differently from the reader's expectations, it is an example of what? ("from "The Story of an Hour")

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Answers (1)

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Mylee Lee · Answer 1

When a story turns out differently from the reader's expectations, it is an example of situational irony.

Explanation:

Situational irony is a literary device consisting of leading the reader to believe a certain event / ending will take place and then unexpectedly changing the outcome. In Kate Chopin's short story "The Story of an Hour", there are two great moments of situational irony. First, the reader is led to believe that Mrs. Mallard is going to grieve her husband's death. However, the story takes an unexpected turn as she realizes, happily, that she is finally a free woman. Even though she loved him, she is now free to make her own decisions and to answer to nobody but herself. From there, readers are led to believe the story will end with Mrs. Mallard living a new, happy, independent life, only to be deeply surprised. It turns out that her husband never died and, as he walks through the door, Mrs. Mallard dies - she has a heart condition. Both times, the author misled readers into believing something, only to give them a different outcome.