Kate Chopin

Thesis statement

The story employs irony, technique and a strong structure to convey the themes of love, marriage and female independence which are an attempt on part of the writer to portray the complex issues that females face in their social life.

Discussion

The central theme of the story takes on a feminist note trying to depict how the institution of marriage serves as a restricting force on the females who find that come limitations and expectations are placed on them due to the bonds of marriage. The major technique employed by the author is irony that suggests the real feelings of woman towards marriage and their husbands.

Irony functions as the central element of the story which tackles the complex issues faced by the women of that time. It is used as a technique to deliberate on the attitude of people towards marriage. Irony makes this story depart from the traditional stories that end peace peacefully and helps in creating a climatic twist. Irony is evident throughout the plot. We feel that Mrs. Mallard is grief stricken at her husband's death when in fact she is overjoyed; a feeling that she realizes after retreating to her room. Irony denotes the attitude of husbands and wives towards each other. Marriage is supposed to bring security, happiness and calm in a person's life. However, nothing of this sort is indicative in the life of Mrs. Mallard whose life seems to be lacking all these aspects. What we see is dramatic irony that reflects the inside feelings of the woman who is not happy with her married life. The irony is intensified to the extent that instead of lamenting at her husband's death, it takes just a few moments for her to forget her grief and delve into lengthy imaginations of her new founded ...