Question

How does Mrs. Mallard initially react when she learns of her husband's death? In four to five sentences, answer the

Answer 1

She is shocked into silent disbelief, overcome with emotion, struck with a sense of relief at being free from the burden of marriage. She feels this way because she had a good marriage not abusive or anything but now she doesn't have to bend to the will of a husband. Mrs Mallard is on a symbolical journey to a different world where her soul can find eternal peace and liberty. She has been yearning for liberty and love. For an hour she has transitioned to this world where she finds solace and takes a fresh breath of freedom. She is now a widow who will be accepted in society, free to make choices, to have friends, to attend social events, to decide each day what she will do, according to what she wants.  No more bending to the will of a husband, whom she loved most of the time.Mrs. Mallard's reaction is not the typical hysteria, crying and grieving of a wife who has lost her husband, the man she loves. Louise Mallard sits in her room, staring out the window, imaging the life she will now have, free to choose, to explore her likes and dislikes.Mrs. Mallard lives a lifetime in the space of one hour as she imagines what she will do with all her new freedom.  She journeys in her mind, wandering free to enjoy and appreciate the life she sees through her window. In normal circumstances when a person’s spouse passes away, one would think that the surviving spouse would be upset for his/her loss, crying etc.  However, in the case of Mrs. Mallard, she is upset for only a few minutes until she realizes what has happened.  Yes, she has lost her husband, but at the same time, she has gained a new life for herself.  After she locks herself in her room, she begins to think about all that she can do and achieve now that she has become a single woman.