Kate Chopin
Chopin shows that instead of mourning her husband, Mrs. Mallard is somewhat relieved that he is gone. In the first scenes feels a sense of calm descend on her at the news. She appears almost frightened at these sneaking feelings of happiness. Though she at first attempts to repress her feelings of happiness, eventually she gives way to them. This is evidenced when the new widow begins to whisper "Free, free, free..." The fear vanishes altogether and she becomes preternaturally calm and even relaxed as she comes to terms with the fact that she is secretly glad to be free of her husband.
It appears from her thoughts and actions that Mrs. Mallard no longer loves her husband the same way she once did, and that she may not even love him at all, anymore. She even begins to radiate energy and life in a way she had not done for years, as she realizes that he is never again going to be able to impose his will on hers. She will not have to live for him, but can live at last only for herself. She pictures having "long years" all to herself, to do with as she will unburdened by his interests.
That Mrs. Mallard is meant to be glad that her husband is dead is evident in the sudden joy she experiences in the spring air, the songbirds, and the breeze through the windows. As her husband's death sinks in, she begins to feel more alive and to notice the world she had blocked out in order to be with him. She is alive specifically because he is dead and no longer able to keep her from living. She feels like a "goddess of victory" because she has survived him.
You’re 73% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.