This writing made me feel very sad. You read of a woman who hears of her husband’s death and is saddened, but soon after becomes relieved and almost joyed at the thought of living her life for herself. A twist at the end of the story causes the woman to suddenly die which makes you feel even more remorse for her and her situation.
One of the literary elements used throughout this story is Tactile Imagery. You can feel the woman’s emotions throughout the story. Starting with sadness through the “sob in her throat”, and physical exhaustion as she sat in her chair. Followed by the feeling of relief and calmness as the “blood warmed and relaxed” her. Then finally her relief is suddenly pulled-away at the sight of her husband. The author describes her delicate state and so you can imagine how much stress all of these emotions may have put upon her weak heart causing her to die.
I believe that the author was trying to represent how women, especially during the time this story was written, were seen but never heard. The woman within the story was saddened with her husband’s death which shows that she did love her husband, but the relief at the thought of being able to run her own life represented her imprisonment within her marriage. Then at the sight of her husband, the woman’s independence was stripped-away yet again causing her heart to give and she died.
The story ends with the doctor’s diagnosis of “heart disease—of joy that kills”, what do you think the author meant by this statement?
Jen, i had also wondered this as it seems to be impossible to be killed with joy, but in reality you can. I don't think the author meant it in the way of joy killing her, but possibly the doctor was implying Mrs. Mallard must of have an underlying condition and the up and down stress of the situation caused extra exertion upon the heart ultimately leading to her death. Maybe he was just trying to put a positive spin on the situation that her husband was actually alive.
ReplyDeleteI like how you pointed out that women back then were seen but not heard. I can't imagine all of the waves of emotion the woman encountered - all at once too. I believe she loved her husband because, at first, she was truly distressed upon hearing of his death. After some pondering about the 'freedom' she might experience from being an independent woman, she was overcome with relief and joy. When she spotted her husband through the window I think she was very shocked initially but maybe the sight of him brought her a little happiness as well. A hurricane of mixed emotions, rather than mere joy, was what eventually made her already weakened heart give in.
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI love your choice of the author's literary element! I never would've picked up on that. I like that you used quotes from the story as well to prove your point. I probably should have done that too.
I think the doctor thought she died because she was so happy to see her husband alive. Really though, she was shocked to see him and probably a little disappointed. At least she's free now! In a different way.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how you used the tactile imagery as the literary element. I also felt the emotions almost pouring out of the story in ways both good and bad.
To your question, the joy that kills and what it means. I also was bothered by this question. Due to the fact that so much is up in the air, where the husband was during the accident that he didn't know there had even been one, and if this was a reason she had died upon seeing him. Why she died when she saw him, or even if she had loved him anymore or not. It depends on where the joy was to be found that you could really tell what killed her.