Discussion:Literary Language in Chopin

The action that takes place in Mrs. Mallards room is her experiencing a range of emotions, some conflicting. The way the author describes the scene features symbolism and foreshadowing. As soon as she is in her room, Mrs. Mallard … stood, facing the open window, which became the main focus of the scene (Chopin 96). As she sat down, she sank, pressed down by physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul (Chopin 96). The author purposely chose to use the words physical exhaustion instead of an array of synonyms to show the link between her feelings to her heart trouble. The way the sentence is worded emphasizes the weight that was on her soul and shows the gravity of her emotions. 

      The scene in which she sees out the window represents her having hope for a new, better life. Her gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky, then the author goes on to say There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know; it was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her through the sounds, the scents, the color that filled the air (Chopin 96). The patches of blue sky add depth to our understanding of what Mrs. Mallard is experiencing because when she was looking out the window, she was experiencing and realizing true freedom. The patches of blue sky represent her freedom. She was looking out the window, yearning for it. Then, she felt it, creeping out of the sky and realized that she now had freedom from her husband (Chopin 96). The scenery of a rainy spring day adds depth by associating the theme of a new beginning to the story, which pairs with the experience Mrs. Mallard felt when she thought she was free from her husband.