The Death Of A Mallard Essay

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The Death of a Mallard Picture the life of a married woman in the late 1800’s; imagine the responsibilities you would face and the roles you would be forced to play. In comparison to the modern day wife, the difference is vast. The common practice of the modern woman would be something unheard of in the late 19th century- we can do what we chose, and our freedoms are not restricted any more so than that of a man. We can choose to be married, if we wish, or we can chose to lead a solitary life, exploring the options available to us. For Louise Mallard, a life of freedom is nothing but a subconscious daydream that is only realized until the death of her husband comes to pass. Once free from the oppression of marriage, and perhaps even love, she begins to recognize the fierce joy that independence can bring.

When Louise Mallard learns of her husband’s death, she is immediately fraught with grief, without giving pause for a natural denial. I believe that her violent and immediate reaction is due to her knowledge of what is appropriate. Knowing that any widow would feel grief over such a tragedy, she immerses herself into this intense response, not perhaps because she feels genuine loss, but because she knows it is what she should do. This is not to say that she bore Mr. Mallard any ill-will, but it is stated further in the text that she had loved him only “sometimes”, even though he was a kind man. I take this to mean that it was not him specifically that caused her to feel oppressed, but the institution of marriage that he represented. Free from him, she is free from any obligations that marriage imposes, even love.
“She knew that she would weep again when she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her, fixed and grey and dead. But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome.”

Shortly after learning of her husband’s tragic demise, she gazes out an open window and is given time to reflect on her new position of self-reliance. She notices the sensations of new life emanating from beyond the window, and to me, this represents her new freedom. In the story, it is stated that “she felt it [freedom], creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air.” It is implied that this knowledge does not come to her easily, but once it takes hold, she cannot let go of the sensation of being free. She begins to imagine life as her own, with no one living for her and “imposing their will” on her own. Her eyes become open to possibilities, and through this new sight, she reflects on the real burden matrimony. She states that “... men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act no less a crime”. Once seeing this new truth, it is impossible for her to go back to being the dutiful housewife that kept her slave to the
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