Mavis Gallant's characters often grapple with feelings of dissatisfaction and entrapment in their lives. In her stories, particularly in "The Flowers of Spring," Estelle, a wife visiting her paralyzed husband, feels a mix of pity and resentment, highlighting her sense of being trapped. Similarly, Lily Quale's marriage to the uninspiring Steve Burnet represents the era's constraints on women, as she feels her only means of pursuing freedom is through her connection to a man. This reflects a broader theme in Gallant's workâthe tension between societal expectations and personal desire for fulfillment.
"Estelle feels not only a pity for Malcolm, her paralyzed husband, but also resentment and a sense of entrapment, questioning if other wives face similar despair."
"Lily Quale's choice to marry the dull diplomat Steve Burnet reflects the limited options women had at the time, as she needed a man to pursue her desires."
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