Question

Use the following quote to explain

Mrs. mallard’s attitude toward gender roles before the news of her husband’s death and the new perspective she has acquired. "there would be no one to live for her during those coming years;
she would live for herself. there would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which 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 seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination."
A) She embraced traditional gender roles.
B) She rejected traditional gender roles.
C) She was indifferent to gender roles.
D) She was unaware of gender roles.

Answer 1

Initially, Mrs. Mallard from 'The Story of an Hour' appears to have accepted traditional gender roles. Following her husband's death, she gains a new sense of independence and self-assertion, thereby rejecting the traditional gender roles that once defined her life.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quote provided offers insight into Mrs. Mallard's perspective on gender roles and her transition in views following the news of her husband's death. Initially, Mrs. Mallard, in 'The Story of an Hour' by Kate Chopin, seems to have accepted traditional gender roles, as implied by the societal expectations and her lack of resistance to them prior to her husband’s reported death. However, the news of her husband's passing marks a significant shift in her attitude. The quoted text reveals her newfound perspective as she envisions a future of independence and self-assertion, recognizing this freedom as the strongest impulse of her being. Here, she rejects the imposition of a husband's will, which she now views as a form of oppression akin to a crime, whether it is driven by kind or cruel intentions. This moment of “illumination” suggests that Mrs. Mallard has acquired a new, liberating view that resists the traditional gender roles, embracing a life lived for herself rather than under the influence of another's will.

Given the context and the newfound sense of autonomy and self-direction expressed after the news of her husband’s death, the correct option is:

B) She rejected traditional gender roles.

Answer 2

Before the news of her husband's death, Mrs. Mallard embraced traditional gender roles, but after gaining a new perspective, she rejected traditional gender roles (Option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

Before the revelation of her husband's death, Mrs. Mallard's attitude reflected societal expectations, where she acknowledged the prevalent notion that a woman's life is often defined and directed by the presence of a husband. The quote suggests a submissive stance, anticipating the influence of a "powerful will" shaping her life. However, with the news of her husband's demise, Mrs. Mallard undergoes a transformative realization.

The phrase "she would live for herself" signals a departure from the conventional role of a wife defined by her husband. She rejects the idea of a dominating will and recognizes the potential for self-determination. The mention of a "brief moment of illumination" indicates a newfound awareness, prompting her to challenge and reject the imposition of a private will by others. In essence, she shifts from conformity to a rejection of traditional gender roles, embracing personal autonomy.

Correct answer: B) She rejected traditional gender roles.