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Questions and Answers
Why did the people around Mrs. Mallard take great care in breaking the news of her husband's death to her?
Because Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble.
What was the atmosphere like in the square outside Mrs. Mallard's room?
The atmosphere was filled with new spring life, with tops of trees aquiver and the delicious breath of rain in the air.
What was Mrs. Mallard's physical reaction to her grief?
She was pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul.
What can be inferred about Mrs. Mallard's personality from her physical description?
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What was the role of Richards in the story?
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What is the narrator's emotional state at the beginning of the passage, and how does it change by the end?
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What is the 'thing' that the narrator is waiting for, and how does she respond to it?
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What is the significance of the narrator's repetition of the word 'free'?
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How does the narrator view her past relationship, and what does this reveal about her character?
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What does the narrator's response to her newfound freedom suggest about her character and values?
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Study Notes
Mrs. Mallard's Reaction to News of Her Husband's Death
- Mrs. Mallard has a heart condition, so the news of her husband's death is broken to her gently by her sister Josephine and her husband's friend Richards.
- The news is revealed to her in a veiled and subtle manner to avoid shocking her.
Initial Reaction and Grief
- Mrs. Mallard initially reacts to the news with sudden and intense grief, weeping wildly in her sister's arms.
- After the storm of grief passes, she goes to her room alone, refusing to let anyone follow her.
Reflection and Realization
- Mrs. Mallard sits in her room, exhausted, and gazes out the window at the tops of trees and the blue sky, feeling a sense of physical and emotional exhaustion.
- She becomes aware of the sounds and scents of nature around her, and begins to feel a subtle and elusive sensation of freedom approaching.
Freedom and Liberation
- Mrs. Mallard whispers the word "free" to herself, feeling a mix of fear and excitement at the prospect of living for herself without her husband's presence.
- She recognizes that this feeling is not monstrous or selfish, but rather a natural desire for autonomy and self-determination.
Newfound Freedom and Independence
- Mrs. Mallard realizes that she will now have years of her life that belong solely to her, free from the influence of her husband's will.
- She feels a sense of liberation and excitement at the prospect of living for herself, without the burden of her husband's expectations and demands.
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Description
This quiz is about the story of Mrs. Mallard's reaction to the news of her husband's death in the railroad disaster.
