I initially thought the story was going to be about a sad story of a wife who lost her husband, but ultimately took an interesting and dramatic turn. It seemed as if Mrs. Mallard was relieved with the thought that her husband was gone when she had described the trees aquiver with new spring life, as if the death of her husband was a new beginning for her life. Chopin also backs up this theory with the statement of “There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds” as if the storm in her life is over and blue skies are ahead as her eyes were fixed upon them. I think Mrs. Mallard was trapped in this marriage and the fact that she would be able to live for herself for the rest of her life was comforting for her.
Even though it didn't end like how she expected in the end though she still got what see wanted, which was to be free of her marriage. I believe in fact, that it was this irony that killed her that she was so filled with joy and happiness that it actually killed her not her husband, but nevertheless she is still free!
I know everyone handles death differently and having lost a few close friends and dealing with death with my job, you never expect what people’s reactions will be as the grieving process is different for everyone. Through my experience people never really feel “free” from a burden when they lose somebody that they truly cherish, which didn’t seem like the case in this story. I wonder what the real reason why she wanted out was?
