Customer center

We are a boutique essay service, not a mass production custom writing factory. Let us create a perfect paper for you today!

Example research essay topic: Irony Symbolism And Foreshadowing As Literary Elements - 879 words

NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote

Among Kate Chopin's most impressive works is the short story entitled The Story of an Hour. This work best displays the importance of literary elements on the overall unified affect. Through the use of irony, symbolism, foreshadowing and paradox, the reader can grasp a better understanding of the main focus of the story. These literary elements are essential in the artistic style of the story. The story opens with the foreshadowing of the main character, Mrs. Mallards, death.

The author initially informs the reader of the womans heart condition to allow for further developments later in the story. Through the paradox, the joy that kills, Chopin alludes that in the end it will be Mrs. Mallards joy that is the cause of her demise. Mrs. Mallards reaction to the news of her husbands death gives reason to believe that she had already accepted the death of her marriage.

The end of their relationship did not come as a shock and she was able to accept its significance, something a devoted wife could not do. This is why Mrs. Mallard was able to instantaneously begin to grieve and to weep with wild abandonment. Within minutes, upon entering her room, she was struck by a calming peace, and was overcome by a feeling of control and serenity.

The feeling that possessed her is symbolic of the change that she could not contest; the unrelenting factor that fate plays in a persons destiny. The imagery that aids in the plot and meaning of the story is that of nature. There is a direct correlation between the time of renewal and rebirth in nature and the reawakening of the womans freedom. Although the death of a person is typically associated with seasons of death, Brently Mallards supposed death takes place in the spring. As she looks out the window, Mrs. Mallard is confronted by the freshly fallen rain, and the newly grown trees, all symbolic of her new-sprung freedom.

The clouds, a metaphor for the shadows that hovered over her marriage, begin to part and make way for a fresh beginning. The structural symbols in the Mallard household, are further demonstrations in the struggle between dominance and submissiveness. Contrasting with the outside world, the interior of the house is a prison, meant to keep Mrs. Mallard withdrawn from the world.

The doors are also symbols of confinement and limitations. Behind closed doors, Mrs. Mallard is free to do as she pleases without the judgement and agitation of others. She alone can lock and unlock her door, with this being her only means of controlling her own life. Once open, she unwillingly lets go of her dreams and enters into harsh reality.

Yet another example of the symbolism is the layout of the house. There is an elevation difference between the common portion of the house on the lower level and Mrs. Mallards bedroom upstairs. From her room she can look out, as if from the clouds and from a place of freedom. Upon leaving her sanctuary, she proceeds to descend the stairs; a journey from her heaven into hell.

The ironic events that take place throughout the story lead readers to believe that there is something concealed that only they know of. Through the point of view of the narrator, it seems as if there is an inside look into the minds of the main character that the other characters do not have. An instance of dramatic irony is clearly evident in the story. As Mrs. Mallards reaction seems to be normal to the others involved, we know that in fact, she has a much different internal reaction to the news.

Behind closed doors, Mrs. Mallard rejoices in her newfound freedom. Contrary to what the others think, she is not mourning the loss of her husband in the typical way a wife would. Another element of irony is Mrs. Mallards contemplation of what is to come in her future.

Days earlier, she had no aspirations and wanted an end to her unhappiness. What would seem to be an answer to her prayer, and a new beginning, ends in her demise. The events of the conclusion lead the others involved to believe that Mrs. Mallard passed away from joy.

Only the reader knows the truth in that she in fact died of sorrow. The only salvation she could find was in death. In a critique of her work, Bert Bender described Chopin's writings as a lyrical expression of a womans shockingly unorthodox feelings about her marriage. He continued to describe her work in a way that would lead you to believe that the ideas for her works were directly from her own personal experiences. However Chopin's finest works contest this concept. Chopin's works may have reflected her own life to an extent.

If this were the case, she allowed her stories contradict themselves. There are a few works that show relationships that are not regressive or destructive. Literary techniques are a fundamental factor without which the story would not be intelligible. It would be increasingly more difficult to grasp the meanings behind the thoughts of the characters. The ideas portrayed in The Story of an Hour and in the criticism show the effectiveness of literary elements in the unifying experience of a short story.


Free research essays on topics related to: literary elements, closed doors, short story, story of an hour, main character

Research essay sample on Irony Symbolism And Foreshadowing As Literary Elements

Writing service prices per page

  • $18.85 - in 14 days
  • $19.95 - in 3 days
  • $23.95 - within 48 hours
  • $26.95 - within 24 hours
  • $29.95 - within 12 hours
  • $34.95 - within 6 hours
  • $39.95 - within 3 hours
  • Calculate total price

Our guarantee

  • 100% money back guarantee
  • plagiarism-free authentic works
  • completely confidential service
  • timely revisions until completely satisfied
  • 24/7 customer support
  • payments protected by PayPal

Secure payment

With EssayChief you get

  • Strict plagiarism detection regulations
  • 300+ words per page
  • Times New Roman font 12 pts, double-spaced
  • FREE abstract, outline, bibliography
  • Money back guarantee for missed deadline
  • Round-the-clock customer support
  • Complete anonymity of all our clients
  • Custom essays
  • Writing service

EssayChief can handle your

  • essays, term papers
  • book and movie reports
  • Power Point presentations
  • annotated bibliographies
  • theses, dissertations
  • exam preparations
  • editing and proofreading of your texts
  • academic ghostwriting of any kind

Free essay samples

Browse essays by topic:

Stay with EssayChief! We offer 10% discount to all our return customers. Once you place your order you will receive an email with the password. You can use this password for unlimited period and you can share it with your friends!

Academic ghostwriting

About us

© 2002-2024 EssayChief.com