Chopin begins "The Story of an Hour" in medias res, immediately throwing a huge tragedy, Mr. Mallard's death in a railroad accident, at her audience. This abrupt beginning produces a somber, tragic mood and invites sympathy for the now widowed Mrs. Mallard. Strangely, however, after Mrs. Mallard weeps with her sister Josephine, she retreats to a room by herself and takes on a completely different persona. Instead of being a distraught widower, Mrs. Mallard, embracing her husband's tragedy, becomes overwhelmed with joy as she realizes she is now, "Free, free, free," (Chopin 326). This sudden change in emotion serves as a stark contrast to the beginning of the story, which implied that Mrs. Mallard would be utterly depressed at the news of her husband's death. About the time Mrs. Mallard comes to her realization, Josephine addresses her with her first name in saying, "Louise, open the door," (Chopin 327). In naming Mrs. Mallard as Louise, Chopin emphasizes her newfound independence. Overjoyed, Louise proceeds out of her room "like a goddess of Victory" and heads downstairs with Josephine to meet Mr. Mallard's friend, Richards (Chopin 327). Then, much to the surprise of Louise, Josephine, and Richards, Brently Mallard, Louise's supposedly dead husband, walks through the door. In a fit of situational irony, Mr. Mallard's reappearance does not please Louise, but, instigating her heart troubles, kills her. The irony lies in the fact that Louise's heart troubles were not inflamed by her husband's death, but in knowing that he is still alive.
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