Final answer:
A woman in 'Requiem' is pleased because something Akhmatova has said resonates deeply, likely affirming a shared experience or giving voice to common emotional truths during wartime suffering.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the excerpt from "Requiem", "Instead of a Preface", a woman is pleased likely because Akhmatova has said something that resonates with her or captures the essence of a shared experience. The overall themes in Akhmatova's work often touch on the tragic aspect of war and the universal suffering it causes.
This connection could bring a sense of solace or understanding to those who are affected. Indeed, literature has the power to affirm sentiments and experiences, making one feel understood and less alone.
It could also be that Akhmatova's poetic expressions give voice to pain and loss that is otherwise hard to articulate. The fact that a reader is pleased by an author's words could reflect the profound impact of Akhmatova's ability to convey deep emotional truths and comfort through her poetry.