Essay Questions

What is the paradox of divorce in the story "Workhorse?"

The divorce described in “Workhorse” is paradoxical. Under normal conditions, divorce must follow a particular process prescribed by law, including paperwork. However, the couple in "Workhorse" is divorced, but there is no paperwork to support their claims. Therefore, the law does not recognize the divorce of this couple. Whoever wants a divorce must sign particular documents, and the matter must be heard before a court of law for a determination to be made. Both partners must sign paperwork to confirm commitment toward the agreed decision.

What do Farrah's swimming lessons symbolize in the story "Wife days?"

Farrah's swimming lessons symbolize the wake of women's freedom. In rare circumstances, Farrah has an arrangement with her husband to give her days off to have fun and do what she loves. In the past days, a woman was confined at home, and whenever she went out, a male accompanied her. However, in the story "Wife days," Farrah goes swimming unsupervised, which signifies that she can have fun as she wishes. Farrah’s arrangement with her husband is an awakening of women's freedom to make independent decisions.

Is the theme of death the most dominant in the entire book?

The theme of death dominates many stories in the collection. Some of the stories where death is prevalent include "The Heirloom" and "Workhorse." Reagan and an unnamed divorced woman are all grieving the death of their loved ones. Reagan is working extraordinarily hard on her inherited ranch to forget her grief. In "Workhorse," the woman grieves the death of her husband, and the pain is endless. Therefore, death is a predominant theme because many characters are grieving the demise of their loved ones.