Initially:
* Submissive and accepting: The wife is presented as a quiet, passive woman who accepts her role as a dutiful wife and mother. She doesn't question her husband's authority or express her own desires openly.
* Lonely and neglected: She feels isolated and alone, with her husband spending most of his time working and engaging in other activities. This loneliness fosters a longing for connection and affection.
* Loyal and devoted: She is deeply devoted to her husband, even though she may not be happy with her life. She demonstrates this loyalty through her obedience and her willingness to put his needs before her own.
Transformation:
* Emergence of self-awareness: The wife begins to question her role and the state of her marriage. She becomes aware of her own desires and the fact that her needs are not being met.
* Development of agency: She starts to assert herself more, questioning her husband's decisions and expressing her own feelings. This is exemplified by her questioning of his involvement in Brigid's life and her demanding a dance with him.
* Awakening of passion: Her interactions with Brigid, particularly her passionate interest in the young girl, stir something within her. This newfound passion could be interpreted as a desire for connection, affection, and a sense of life outside her restrictive marriage.
Conclusion:
* Uncertainty about the future: The ending of the story leaves the wife's future ambiguous. She is left with a newfound awareness of her own desires, but it's unclear how she will navigate her marriage and her future.
* Potential for change: The transformation suggests a potential for change, but it remains unclear whether she will ultimately find happiness or remain trapped in her unfulfilling situation.
The wife's journey in "The Story of Brigid" can be seen as a poignant exploration of female identity, the complexities of marriage, and the yearning for love and self-fulfillment. Her evolution from a passive and resigned woman to someone who questions her situation and asserts her desires is a powerful and relatable theme in Lavin's story.