EXPRESSIONS OF LIBERATION
...ain” (Chopin) during her time of perceived mourning. The author now describes her as “young, with a fair, calm face” (Chopin) as if washing away her wrinkles of repression. While staring at the blue sky an awe-inspiring sense of rebirth came over Mrs. Mallard and she realized that she was “Free, free, free!” (Chopin). Ironically, the author suggested that she was suicidal “open the door…you will make yourself ill. What are you doing[?]” (Chopin). But Mrs. Mallard didn’t care because “she was drinking in a very elixir of life through [the] open window” (Chopin). The revelation of her new found freedom was very evident as “she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory” (Chopin). The stunning conclusion occurred while Mrs. Mallard was descending the stairs and her husband walked through the front door oblivious to the reported accident. Mrs. Mallard, upon seeing her husband died on the spot. “[D]octors… said she had died of heart disease” (Chopin). However, the author suggests she died “of joy that kills” (Chopin). Mrs. Mallard having embraced her liberation died having realized that her husband was still alive and that she was not free anymore. Author Nicola Barker, G-String, describes the complexities women face in relationships. For example, the author describes the main character Gillian as a “thirty-four [year old] nervous size sixteen” (Barker). Gillian probably has low self esteem issues since “her pudgy but reliable long-term date, Mr. Kip” repeatedly displays rude behavior throughout the story. Furthermore, since Mr. Kip “was an ardent admirer of….actress Katharine Hepburn” (Barker), Gillian could never live up to those expectations. The author describes in detail the undesirable compromises that women make in order to sustain a relationship. For example, Mr. Kip invites Gillian to a formal social event that required her to buy a formal white dress. Gillian chooses to buy an expensive “white chiffon” (Barker) dress. The white dress signifies all that is pure in an effort to please her boyfriend. Gillian’s friend “Jeanie” encourages her to buy a G-String in order to avoid unsightly panty lines. Gillian is utterly repulsed by the idea of wearing a G-string but gives into the demand. Gillian gave into the demand because she wanted to prove her femininity to Mr. Kip. Time again the author demonstrates the sacrifices that women make to please their partner. For instance, throughout the party Gillian was ignored and disrespected by Mr. Kip “smoked a cigar and tipped ashes on her” and “didn’t introduce her to any of his…friends” (Barker). The rude behavior was undoubtedly disrespectful but Gillian did nothing about it. Consequently, the acceptance of the rude behavior sets the foundation for her insecurities. Two hours after complaining of a headache Mr. Kip drove Gillian home. The rainy return trip home was interrupted when a window wiper blade fell off. Despite the horrible conditions Gillian was ordered to find the wiper blade “get out and look for it” (Barker). Subsequently, she found the wiper blade and ruined her dress “damp, mussed, [and] muddy” (Barker). Ironically, with parts in hand, Mr. Kip was unable to fix the wiper issue. The story climaxed when Gillian had to rip off her G-string with a “Swiss Army Knife” (Barker) in order to make a manual wiper. A wise comment from ...