Initial State:
* Submissive: She readily accepts her husband's decisions, even when she disagrees, and is not assertive in expressing her own opinions.
* Passive: She endures the pain and discomfort of her marriage with little resistance. She seems resigned to her fate and is accepting of her husband's controlling behavior.
* Focused on Family: She prioritizes her family's needs over her own, putting up with her husband's infidelities to preserve their home and children.
* Fearful: There's a sense of fear and anxiety surrounding her husband, likely stemming from his unpredictable nature and his threat of violence.
Transformation:
* Growing Awareness: The story hints at a shift in the wife's awareness as she begins to recognize the unhappiness and suffering she has endured within the marriage. The arrival of Brigid, the new maid, allows her to see her own situation in a new light and start questioning her choices.
* Increased Assertiveness: There are subtle moments where the wife challenges her husband's decisions, becoming more vocal and less accepting of his dominance. Her interactions with Brigid seem to empower her, giving her the courage to stand up for herself.
* Emerging Independence: The wife's feelings of suppressed desire and unfulfilled potential start to surface. While she doesn't actively rebel against her husband, her newfound awareness suggests a desire for a different life, one where she might be able to pursue her own aspirations.
* Finding Strength: By the end of the story, the wife displays a newfound strength and resilience. She understands the pain she has endured and the sacrifices she has made, but she also seems to have gained a sense of self-worth.
The Wife's Ending:
The ending is ambiguous, leaving the reader to wonder about the wife's future. Did she find the courage to leave her husband? Did she find a way to find happiness within her marriage? The story's open-endedness highlights the complexity of her journey and the difficult choices she faced.
Overall, the wife in "Brigid" is a character who undergoes a subtle but significant transformation. She moves from a submissive and passive figure to someone who begins to question her role and desires a different path. While the story doesn't offer a clear resolution, it presents a compelling picture of a woman trapped in a difficult situation, finding her voice and searching for her own agency.