Question

What does the following passage from the story imply?

"A kind intention of a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination."
a. Mrs. Mallard finally realized that he husband had been cruel to her when she thought he was being kind.
b. She hadn't known until now whether her husband's intention had been cruel or kind.
c. She now understands that imposing your own will on someone is a crime, no matter whether the intention is cruel or kind.
d. She suddenly understands that her self-assertion is a crime, whether her intention was cruel or kind.

Answer 1

The passage implies that imposing one's will on someone else is a crime regardless of the intention behind it, underscoring the importance of personal agency and the protagonist's quest for self-assertion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage in question implies that imposing one's will on another, whether done with kind or cruel intentions, is still an oppressive act. The protagonist's moment of illumination leads her to view such actions as equivalent to a crime—reflecting a strong thematic element in the story about the importance of personal freedom and self-assertion. The correct answer, therefore, is (c) She now understands that imposing your own will on someone is a crime, no matter whether the intention is cruel or kind. This key scene symbolizes a broader revelation about the nature of autonomy and the wrongness of one person controlling another, regardless of their intentions being seemingly benevolent or malevolent.