Personal comment 2/2
We live close together and we live far apart
Particularly potent is the last sentence, "We live close together and we live far apart." Because social conventions restrict open conversation about their pain, women in rural areas may live physically close to one another, but they are emotionally detached from one another. Themes of loneliness, gender norms, and lost unity are highlighted in this line.
MRS. HALE. I might have known she needed help! I know how things can be—for women. I tell you, it’squeer, Mrs. Peters.
She is apologizing for failing to see Mrs. Wright's inner pain and loneliness. She now realizes that Mrs. Wright's reserved demeanor and peaceful lifestyle were indicators of more serious concern. Her words demonstrate an increasing sense of accountability and compassion.
I asked.” “No,” saysshe, unconcerned. “Who did this, Mrs. Wright?” said Harry. He said it business-like—and she stoppedpleatin’ of her apron. “I don’t know,” she says. “You don’t know?” says Harry. “No,” says she, “Weren’tyou sleepin’ in the bed with him?”
shows that she is not mentally/fully here as if something is wrong with her.
Why, I don’t think she minded—one way or other. She didn’t pay much attention. I said, “How do,Mrs. Wright, it’s cold, ain’t it?” And she said, “Is it?"—and went on kind of pleating at her apron. Well, Iwas surprised; she didn’t ask me to come up to the stove, or to set down, but just sat there, not even lookingat me, so I said, “I want to see John.” And then she—laughed. I guess you would call it a laugh. I thoughtof Harry and the team outside, so I said a little sharp. “Can’t I see John?” “No,” she says, kind o’ dull like.“Ain’t he home?” says I. “Yes,” says she, “he’s home.” “Then why can’t I see him?” I asked her, out ofpatience. “’Cause he’s dead,” says she. “Dead?” says I. She just nodded her head, not getting a bit excited,but rockin’ back and forth. “Why—where is he?” says I, not knowing what to say. She just pointed upstairs—like that (himself pointing to the room above). I got up, with the idea of going up there. I talked fromthere to here—then I says, “Why, what did he die of?” “He died of a rope around his neck,” says she, andjust went on pleatin’ at her apron. Well, I went out and called Harry. I thought I might—need help. We wentupstairs, and there he was lying’
You can sense the uneasiness and near-emotional detachment in this section when Hale recalls the conversation with Mrs. Wright. In a circumstance like this, Mrs. Wright appears to cool down and is acting strangely. This section of the narrative suggests that Mrs. Wright had a profound detachment from reality. It delves a bit farther into the character's potential identity. Additionally, this sequence heightens the tension in the narrative.
The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of John Wright, a gloomy kitchen, and left withouthaving been put in order—unwashed pans under the sink, a loaf of bread outside the breadbox, a dishtowel on the table—other signs of uncompleted work
This is the scene. The scene allows us to understand the setting and where the story occurs. Being that it is "gloomy" it sets a different mood/ tone for the rest of the reading. This creates a feeling of isolation/being alone.
Personal Comment 1/2