Alex Barrios-Discussion 9

A common theme between the two readings is a woman wanting to be released from their husbands. However, another theme that also came to mind is what it means for a woman who desires of finding her own identity and self-worth in the world. To be able to exist as her own person without the constraints of societal pressure. To be more than whatever men tell women to be and seek out opportunities. Lines 8-9 from Emily Dickinson’s The Wife “It lay unmentioned, as the sea, develops pearl and weed.” and the line from Story of An Hour- “Go away. I am not making myself ill. No; she was drinking in the very elixir of life through that open window.” Both resonate with the idea of starting a new chapter and embarking on a personal journey to discovering oneself. The “sea” that the wife mentions could be interpreted as her husband who “develops pearl and weed” – with “Pearl” meaning a dream or something similar and “weed” being like a seed of doubt planted by the husband. While the line “she was drinking in the very elixir of life through that open window” could symbolize that nothing is “wrong” with her and that the “elixir of life” is really her finally opening her eyes and take in the realization that now she no longer needs to grieve for her dead husband. That she’s taken in the sights and beauty of her surroundings which inspire her to have a new outlook on her life.