1. The reader discovers in the first line that Mrs. Mallard suffers from a heart condition. What might be the reason for sharing this information early in the story?
2. Upon learning of her husband’s death, Mrs. Mallard “wept at once” (par. 3). What is significant about her reaction in comparison to other women who experience a “paralyzed inability” to accept similar news?
3. In paragraph 4, Mrs. Mallard goes to the armchair where she “sank, pressured down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul.” What does this line tell us about Mrs. Mallard’s emotional state.
4. In paragraph 10, Mrs. Mallard recognizes “this thing” rising in her and tries to “beat it back with her will.” What is “this thing,” and why might she try to suppress it?
5. Mrs. Mallard reveals that "[o]ften she had not" loved her husband (par. 13). What can you infer about her motivations for marrying Mr. Mallard? How much of her unhappiness can be attributed to her own decisions?

6. Based on details in the story, what assumptions can be made about the type of man Mr. Mallard is? What assumptions can be made about the Mallards' marriage?

7. Is there evidence to support that Mrs. Mallard's heart trouble is caused by anything other than natural physical causes? Explain.

8. What is the significance of the doctors determining the cause of Mrs. Mallard's death?

9. The setting of the story is limited to the house that Mrs. Mallard lives and dies in.
How does the limited setting support the theme(s) of the story?

10. Taking into consideration the historical context in which Chopin wrote, what are
some possible themes for this story? What message is Chopin trying to convey about the relationships between men and women?

1. Sharing Mrs. Mallard's heart condition early in the story sets up the potential for her physical vulnerability and foreshadows her eventual death. It adds tension and anticipation to the narrative.

2. Mrs. Mallard's immediate weeping contrasts with the "paralyzed inability" of other women, suggesting a complex emotional reaction. It hints at underlying feelings of repression or dissatisfaction in her marriage, which her husband's death unexpectedly releases.

3. The line indicates that Mrs. Mallard is not only physically exhausted but also emotionally drained. Her exhaustion seems to stem from a deeper sense of weariness or sorrow, hinting at her internal turmoil.

4. "This thing" refers to the sense of liberation and newfound freedom Mrs. Mallard experiences upon realizing she is now free from her marriage. She tries to suppress it because it conflicts with societal expectations and norms regarding women's roles in marriage and widowhood.

5. Mrs. Mallard's admission that she often did not love her husband suggests that her marriage may have been more of a societal obligation than a choice based on genuine affection. Her unhappiness could be attributed to her lack of agency in choosing her partner and conforming to societal expectations.

6. Mr. Mallard is assumed to be a typical patriarchal figure of the time, possibly controlling or domineering in his marriage. The Mallards' marriage may have been characterized by societal norms rather than genuine emotional connection or mutual respect.

7. There is no explicit evidence to suggest that Mrs. Mallard's heart trouble is caused by anything other than natural physical causes. However, it can be interpreted metaphorically as a manifestation of her emotional repression and dissatisfaction in her marriage.

8. The significance of the doctors determining the cause of Mrs. Mallard's death lies in the irony that they attribute it to "the joy that kills," unaware of the true reason—her shock and despair upon realizing her newfound freedom. It highlights the theme of societal ignorance and the complexity of human emotions.

9. The limited setting of the house reinforces the theme of confinement and oppression, mirroring Mrs. Mallard's emotional and societal constraints within her marriage. It emphasizes her longing for freedom and autonomy, which she briefly experiences before her tragic demise.

10. Possible themes for the story include the repression of women in patriarchal societies, the complexities of marriage and societal expectations, and the pursuit of personal freedom and identity. Chopin may be conveying a message about the stifling nature of traditional gender roles and the potential for liberation and self-discovery when those roles are challenged or broken.

Explanation:

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