Analysis

This short story depicts a riveting and heartbreaking series of events that happens to an unfortunate woman called Mrs. Mallard. Due to her lethal heart condition, Mrs. Mallard must be treated with gentle care and close supervision. The captivity and belittlement she feels not only worsens her condition, but also compensates for her outlook on society. Therefore Mrs. Mallard complicates the expected reaction of a grieving widow in a unusual way. Instead of woeful tears and in denial, the sudden widow pairs her utter disbelief with elation. Although she feels guilty for celebrating the death of her husband, she soon realizes that she has finally gained her freedom. Discovering her new lease on life, Mrs. Mallard finds herself emerging from the room of isolation with a crest of strength and victory on her chest. Unfortunately, this feeling vanishes once Mrs. Mallard is once again in the presence of her husband who wasn’t at the scene of the accident after all. After the well known feelings of depletion and hopelessness flood back in, Mrs. Mallard’s heart gives out leaving her dead. The paramedics believe this was due to the excitement of being reunited with her husband. However, the readers know that her death was due to the shock and raw despair of her freedom being ripped from her fingertips.