During the time period of this story, women did not have the right to vote. Their expected place as in the home, keeping house. Women who did work were kept in lower-level jobs and paid less for the same work. The husband ruled over the home and his wife.

In this story you might say Louise had repressed her desires for her life and future. Her heart was troubled. It didn’t rejoice in the life she was living. We don’t even learn her name for a long time, showing her as someone who lacks her own identity. She’s only her husband’s wife, not her own person.

Spring and blue skies are symbols in the story, marks of new life, new hope.

There are many uses of literary devices. “Revealed in half-concealing” is a paradox and monstrous joy is an oxymoron. Her physical exhaustion is personified in how it haunts her. The breath of rain is a metaphor. There are many uses of alliteration as well.

Another device used is foreshadowing. There’s a hint of the ending right at the beginning, mentioning her heart condition.