Question
[15] Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhole,
imploring for admission. “Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door — you will make
yourself ill. What are you doing, Louise? For heaven's sake open the door.”
[16] “Go away. I am not making myself ill.” No; she was drinking in a very elixir of life
through that open window.
[17] Her fancy was running riot along those days ahead of her. Spring days, and
summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer
that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life
might be long.
[18] She arose at length and opened the door to her sister's importunities.8 There was a
feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of
Victory. She clasped her sister's waist, and together they descended the stairs.
Richards stood waiting for them at the bottom.
[19] Some one was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard who
entered, a little travel-stained, composedly carrying his grip-sack and umbrella. He had
been far from the scene of the accident, and did not even know there had been one. He
stood amazed at Josephine's piercing cry; at Richards' quick motion to screen him from
the view of his wife.
[20] When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease — of the joy that
kills.
8. begging or pleas
How does Mrs. Mallard’s final moments contribute to the theme of irony?
Mrs. Mallard...because...
imploring for admission. “Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door — you will make
yourself ill. What are you doing, Louise? For heaven's sake open the door.”
[16] “Go away. I am not making myself ill.” No; she was drinking in a very elixir of life
through that open window.
[17] Her fancy was running riot along those days ahead of her. Spring days, and
summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer
that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life
might be long.
[18] She arose at length and opened the door to her sister's importunities.8 There was a
feverish triumph in her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of
Victory. She clasped her sister's waist, and together they descended the stairs.
Richards stood waiting for them at the bottom.
[19] Some one was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard who
entered, a little travel-stained, composedly carrying his grip-sack and umbrella. He had
been far from the scene of the accident, and did not even know there had been one. He
stood amazed at Josephine's piercing cry; at Richards' quick motion to screen him from
the view of his wife.
[20] When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease — of the joy that
kills.
8. begging or pleas
How does Mrs. Mallard’s final moments contribute to the theme of irony?
Mrs. Mallard...because...
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Mrs. Mallard’s final moments contribute to the theme of irony in the story through the stark contrast between her feelings of liberation and the shocking reality of her husband's return. Initially, Mrs. Mallard experiences an overwhelming sense of joy and freedom upon hearing of her husband's death. She envisions a life filled with personal autonomy and the ability to embrace her own identity, free from the constraints of marriage. This newfound perspective brings her a sense of relief, as she had previously felt trapped in her life.
However, the irony lies in the fact that just as she is reveling in her escape from a repressive marriage, her husband Brently Mallard unexpectedly returns home, unaware of the accident that was reported. His appearance shatters her moment of triumph and ultimately leads to her death. The doctors declare that she died from "the joy that kills," which is deeply ironic, as it suggests that her heart could not withstand the profound disappointment of losing her perceived freedom. Rather than celebrating the start of a new life, her final moments reflect the cruel twist of fate that ultimately restores her previous captivity, leading to her tragic demise. This highlights the story’s exploration of the constraints placed on women in society and the devastating consequences that can arise from the suppression of their true desires.
However, the irony lies in the fact that just as she is reveling in her escape from a repressive marriage, her husband Brently Mallard unexpectedly returns home, unaware of the accident that was reported. His appearance shatters her moment of triumph and ultimately leads to her death. The doctors declare that she died from "the joy that kills," which is deeply ironic, as it suggests that her heart could not withstand the profound disappointment of losing her perceived freedom. Rather than celebrating the start of a new life, her final moments reflect the cruel twist of fate that ultimately restores her previous captivity, leading to her tragic demise. This highlights the story’s exploration of the constraints placed on women in society and the devastating consequences that can arise from the suppression of their true desires.