Answer:
Bringing in emotions.
Explanation:
Maria has an emotional connection to car accidents that prevents her from listening effectively.
According to an article on Bright Hub Project Management, "Emotions erect barriers to effective communication. A listener's senses are not likely to be functioning at their optimum level when he or she is angry. Likewise, it is not possible to understand or appreciate what the speaker is saying if the listener is excessively sad."
Source: https://www.brighthubpm.com/resource-management/122339-effective-listening-10-barriers-and-how-to-overcome-them/
The meaning of Gwendolen's words is that she is against the traditional idea that women are the ones who should stay at home to be in charge of the domestic duties. She shows that women might have a position of power and that men can stay at home.
The literary technique used is Paradox because Gwendolen proposes a reversal of the traditional and well-known ideas.
I think it would go after