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?
It truly does make you wonder as to why Mrs. Mallard wanted to be free of her marriage. Possibly it was the controlling factor; maybe she really wasn’t able to run her own life. The author stated that Mrs. Mallard was delicate in her heart condition which may have caused others, such as her husband, to naturally want to take care of her and over protect her, and in turn not allowing her to live her life the way that she wanted.
ReplyDeleteCraig your post here brings about new light to my interpretation of this story. This is a great post. I agree with you about wondering why the real reason why Mrs. Mallard wanted out of her marriage. What was it that brought about her "relief." Was it possibly the burden of commitment lifted or possibly the personal relationship with her husband whom she grew tired of?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above two posts as to why she wanted out so much being the main mystery of the story. The way she suddenly changed was really strange and you have to wonder if she truly loved him in the first place. Maybe she was forced to be married and thus never got a chance to find her own love and I can kind of see how she might feel that way. Just a thought.
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